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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Singular, Singlar, adj. Also: singulare, -air, -ere, syngulere, sungular, singlare, -er, synglar. [ME and e.m.E. syngulere (Rolle), singuler (Wyclif), -ier (Gower), syngular (c1460), singular (1509), also singler (Chaucer), sengler (1469), syngler (1514), singlar (1542), OF singuler, singulier (c1190 and late 13th c. in Larousse), L. singulāris one by one, alone, single, solitary.]

A. 1. adj. One only; one and no more. = Singil(l adj. 3. 15.. Dunb. App. iv 8.
Thocht sevin ȝeir I war avysit, … Ane singulare thing to put in dyte 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 12/26.
These conjurationes must haue few or mo in number of the persones conjurers (alwaies passing the singuler number) according to the qualitie of the circle 1669 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. II 442.
In a cause wherein there was only one singular witness

b. Sole; exclusive. 1460 Hay Alex. 9789.
Thocht ȝe be king and singulare iusticere With all powar

c. Unlike any other; unique.(a) a1500 Henr. III 147/31.
O worthy wirschip singuler, To be moder and madyn meir a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1379 (Asl.).
O singuler sege of all suavite c1490 Irland Asl. MS 6/13.
Without a singuler grace of God that he has nocht deserved beand aye almast in syn c1490 Irland Asl. MS 47/12.
The sanctis that has singulare preuilegis grantit to thaim be God 1490 Irland Mir. I 48/26. a1568 Steel Bann. MS 235a/5.
O flour delyce most flurisand and fair Off every wicht most sueit & singulare c1590 Fowler II 66/4.
Christ must be crucifyet, quhilk was bot on & singulair sacrifice c1590 Fowler II 162/28.
Such personages wer rare, singuler, and admirable, notwithstanding they wer men and mortal a1599 Rollock Wks. I 440.
The time is set doun quhen he [sc. Christ] hes saved us, quhen his singular love appeared in the warld a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 56/7.
He who is the most excellent and singular person in the world(b) 1490 Irland Mir. II 107/37.
This doctrine and haly faith has bene schawin and reuelit be God and his operacioun singler 1494 Loutfut MS 154a.
The quhiche stanis come first from paradice Thairfor thai ar so precyus singlare

2. a. In grammar: Denoting one person or thing. Freq. in collocation with num(b)er. b. In music: Singular mude (cf. Mud(e n.³ a).a. c1505-8 Donatus 1a.
Fra the first persone singuler … imperfectyme of the indicatiue mode 1522 Vaus in Grant Burgh Schools 54.
Quhare by knaw ye the singulare nowmyr [of ane pronowne]? It spekis of ane thing singulary [sic], as hic this man 1531 Vaus (1531) 2.
How mony nowmeris is thare in ane nowne? … ane singulare & ane plurale c1616 Hume Orthog. 27.
Number is distinction of person be one and moe; and soe is singular and plural 16.. Rudiments fol. 2b.
Quhat is to be said of number. P. Numers ar two: for (a man) is of the singular numer becaus it signifies one being: but, men, are of the plurall, because they signifie moeb. 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (ed.) 156.
Sertan godlye songs perfitly set in iiii pairtis and singular [v.r. see 13 below] mude musike

3. Singular bataile, combat, single combat, or an instance of this. Cf. Singil(l adj. 10.(1) 1513 Doug. ix vi 130.
A strang Rutiliane … Quham he venquyst in singular batell 1535 Stewart 57860.
In singular battell hand for hand tha faucht 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 525.
He had cowartlie refusit singular combat bayth of a barroun and gentilman undefamit 1571 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XVIII 35.
A corporal or sergeant in Captain Mitchell's band … being at singular combat … with a suddart of the toun 1572 Reg. Privy S. VI 322/1.
[The slaughter of William Mathie] … committit upoun suddentie and upoun singulare combat a1578 Pitsc. I 232/29. 1597 James VI Dæmonol. (STS) 9/27.
To fore-tell … What man shall obteine victorie at singular combate 1622-6 Bisset II 155/11.
King Constantyne and Kenneth … met togidder be singulare battell(b) 1494 Loutfut MS 112b.
Thir are the wapinnis that is customed & wsit in singler [Lindsay MS singular] batell(2) 1575 Orkney Oppress. 9.
Be giving licence to men to fight singular combats 1580 Reg. Privy C. III 333.
Provocatioun oftymes movit of singular combattis 1596 Dalr. I 307/13.
He … secreitlie throuch his counsell at a singular combat steiret thame vp against vthiris 1621 Crim. Trials III 502. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 288.
That none feight any singular combatt without the king's licence 1644 Army of the Covenant I 6.
No commander or officer shall authorize, or wittingly permit any souldier to goe forth to a singular combate, under paine of death

b. In legal usage. c1575 Balfour Pract. 40.
That na baron … hald ony sic courtis, nor ȝit of singular battel, water or irne, bot gif the kingis schireff be thair, or his serjand c1575 Balfour Pract. 524.
Gif ony man steill … fra ony man of religioun, clerkis, wedowis or fra ony uther persoun that may not fight the singular combat … the compleiner sall pas and complein to the lord of the ground 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Dvellum.
All men that ar decreeped, lamed, mutilat, or passed the age of threescore ȝeires, are excused from singular battell 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 56b.

4. Singlar avail, = singill avail Singil(l adj. 7 f. 1508 Reg. Privy S. I 264/2.
With power to tak up to his use the dowbill and singler avale of the said mariage

5. Single, individual; particular.(a) 1456 Hay I 285/32.
Of dett, or of fede, or of ony othir singular caus 1456 Hay II 22/22.
[Kings] ar bot syngulere personis c1460 Wisd. Sol. 27.
Quhat is it that was of before bot it that is now in erde that is to say of the samyne kynd … bot nocht in singular propire persone 1490 Irland Mir. I 61/21.
This vniuersal knawlage … he [sc. Adam] appliit to particulare and singulare naturis of all maner of thingis be experiens 1534–5 Linlithgow B. Ct. 22 Jan.
And reuokis all & singular wthir aris quhat sumeuer degre or stait a1561 Norvell Meroure 14a.
One diadeime Where was writtin thre stiles singulair In golden letteres to him peculiar 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 43.
Having espyit out not onelie factiouns bot singular personis 1596 Dalr. I 118/9.
We … haue perchance ouer lang insisted in sum particular materis and singular 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. viii.
Sum [sc. sepulchres] ar proper to singular persons only, and others to mo 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. i 83b.
Gif any stranger or singulare persone gives dome(b) 1458 Peebles B. Rec. I 126.
With the consent of the hale communite and noch at the request of na singlar person(c) 1554 Misc. Bann. C. III 71.
How lang tyme his predicessoris and he had josit the said erildom [sc. of Orkney] … with thair vniuersall and sungular ilis, commoditeis [etc.]

6. ? Unarmed; ? unprotected.Cf. the following use of single, in the later Sc. dialect: ‘A single man is one without arms or means of defence’; Jamieson Dict., s.v. Single adj. 4 n. c1475 Wall. xi 241.
I wald tak weid suld I fecht with a man, Bot for a dog [here, = lion] that nocht off armes can, I will haiff nayn, bot synglar as I ga

7. Unmarried; celibate. = Singil(l adj. 5. 1566–7 Craven Ch. in Orkney II 43.
Nochtwithstanding … statutes or actes … civile or cannonical, quhilkes wald mak him unhabill to haif the said licence … be resone of ony singular lyfe that the said Maister Gilbert hes vowit

8. Holding no official position; having no special status. = Singil(l adj. 8. 1541–2 Grey Friars II 39.
Freir Villiame wes nouther wardane, president nor procurator … bot ane singular man

b. Singular successor: In Sc. Law, one who obtains heritage otherwise than as heir, e.g. by purchase. c1630 Hope Minor Practicks (1734) 165 n.
The defunct … may, inter vivos, dispose upon his whole fortunes, or universum jus; yet … the person so honoured, is not called an heir, but a singular successor a1705 Forbes Tithes 427.
A stipend being local'd upon a tacksman of tithes, a singular successor to the right of ‘em was found liable in payment 1636 M. P. Brown Suppl. Decis. I 358.
The heir, or the singular successor to whom the heir disponed the right of the lands 1666 Rothesay B. Rec. 112.
The said Sir Dougall hes richt as a singular successour not as air or executour to the said Sir James Lamount 1687 Lauder Notices Affairs II 840.
He was ane singular successor, and so could not know what his predecessor had done 1686 Mackenzie Observ. (1687) 347.
This Act makes a difference between such as are singular successors (who must produce for the title of their prescription, not only a seasine, but a charter) and heirs who need produce no charter, but seasines, one or moe

9. Of or pertaining to the individual; personal, private; passing into, selfish. b. specif. Of profit, advantage, etc. 1456 Hay I 211/25.
Gif it war sa, that every man suld lyve efter his appetite and singulare desire c1460 Regim. Princ. 1 20 (Marchm.).
Exclud al affeccioune singulare, And to the common profet euir tak heid a1500 Bk. Chess 759.
So quhan they tint thair singulair pouertie They tynt thair land [etc.] 1531 Bell. Boece I 54.
Thay maid lawis, to discus the doutis baith of publik and singular actionis 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II 167.
He was cumin for ane singular herand a1538 Abell 124a.
Sanct Thomas wes exilit, he [sc. the Bishop of Rochester] wes presond, Sanct Thomas for his awne singular kirk, bot he for wniuersall kirkb. 1456 Hay I 70/4.
And mare for the proffit of the commouns of his contree na for his proffit singular 1483 (c1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 47.
Vpoun the honor and worschip of the said burgh, als weill as vpoun thair singular availl and proffit c1490 Porteous Noblenes 176/19 (Asl.).
Enarmand in ane fals mirk or wrangwis querele for to haue singuler avale or proffet 1491–2 Acta Conc. I 216/1.
Appropriing … the takkis [etc.] … for ther singuler avale nocht hafand ee to the commoune proffit of the sammyn toune a1500 Bk. Chess 757.
Fra … singulare profeit tuik the steir on hand Thair vas no vyce bot it rang in that land c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2199. 1670 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 21 May.
That shoe did the samyn of hir owine frie will for her singular weill and vtilitie

c. Of a servant or follower: Especially loyal; devoted. c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 135/31.
Welcum … dear maister to ȝour man, And to ȝour servand singulair

10. Distinguished, notable, eminent; outstanding in (of) (something). b. Used in forms of address. 1535 Stewart 30580.
Gude Chairlis the michtie king of France, In all Europe most singulare of substance 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8893.
Rather nor I, quhilk may be na compair, Vnto ȝour grace, for ȝour blude singulair 1596 Dalr. I 243/23.
The tua notable bischopis and singular in halynes Colman & Finnanb. c1450-2 Howlat 483 (A).
My singuler souerane, of Saxonis the wand 1463 Aberd. B. Rec. MS V i p. 485 (18 July).
Our gret traist is in your singular lordschippis 1496 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. II 340.
To my singular masteris the alderman balȝeis consall … of Aberdene c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iv 423.
Humblie prayand for hir grace singular For to grant grace 1577 Douglas Corr. 222.
To … my verie singuler good lorde a1585 Maitl. Q. 110/67.
Heir I beseik hir bewtie singulair Have sum respect vnto my daylie cair 1616 Haigs of Bemersyde 155.
To the Right Honourable my singular good Lords, the Earl of Dunfermline [etc.]

11. Above the ordinary in amount, worth or value; especially good or great; special, particular, distinctive: a. Of immaterial things, qualities, etc. b. Of medicines or remedies: Excellent, highly efficacious.a. 1451 Reg. Episc. Brechin. II 87.
That ȝe present our loued chaplane Schir Johne Harwar thar to as ȝe wile do ws singular plesans a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 210 (Asl.).
Think how Traiane prince of the empyre Had singuler savyng throu justice & pete a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1009 (Asl.).
This is a sentens of singuler comforting For euery stait condicioun & degre 1543 Blackfriars Perth 41.
As ye will have our speciall thanks thairfor, and do us singular emplessir 1562-3 Winȝet I 24/9.
The singular vtilitie thairof [sc. of grammar schools] to the commoun welth 1595 Colville Lett. 270.
I wold tak it for a singular favour to be corrected as one of your awin creaturis 1607 Facs. Nat. MSS III lxxxvii.
For the singular cair your Maiestie hes ewer haid … of our estait and weilfair 1664 Dunkeld Presb. I 397.
[The building of the calsay will be] of singular use to the whole liegis who travell that way(b) 1482 Lennox Mun. 122.
For the singler traiste that he had in the said Lord Dernlie 1528 Douglas Corr. 132.
As my singlare traist and special confidence is in ȝour lordschip 1533 Gau 45/4.
This is ane singlar consolatione … in the tyme of deidb. 1531 Bell. Boece I xxxvii.
Within the bowellis of thir geis, is ane fatnes of singulare medicine 1531 Bell. Boece II 60.
For the hornis of ane hart ar ane singular remede aganis the bit of serpentis

c. Of persons. a1568 Bann. MS 234a/8.
Ȝour proper persoun fair Is so weill maid in all maner degre That non to me salbe so singulare

12. Remarkable, extraordinary, unusual.Freq. of a person's talents or accomplishments.(a) 1531 Bell. Boece II 369.
He … finaly slew him be singulare manheid 1560 Rolland Seven S. 10303.
The empreour did prepair Ane greit armie of manheid singulair 1562-3 Winȝet II 47/20.
Origine in quhome thai war mony thingis sa fer excellent, sa singular, sa meruolous, that [etc.] a1568 Bann. MS 43b heading.
Followis the secound pairt of this buk conteneand verry singular ballatis full of wisdome and moralitie a1568 Bann. MS 44b/71.
Sen mesur is most singulair In alkyn mater mesure thé 1577 Reg. Privy S. VII 189/2.
The avancement of curious and quick spreitis that heirtofoir hes, be thair singulare ingyne, inventit, socht out or devisit ony perfyte art or devyse 1577 Reg. Privy S. VII 189/2.
Be thair awin singulare moyen, naturall industrie, curious ingynis [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I 80/12.
Mr. James Douglas, ane mane of singular erruditioun a1578 Pitsc. I 133/6.
[The prince] was ane man of goode witt and singular ingyne 1597 Skene Verb S. s.v. Particata.
John Naper … ane gentleman of singuler … learning 1587-99 Hume 68/2.
My tender friend (Montcrief medicinar) To kings is kend thy knawledge singular a1650 Row 436.
Which virtues were most eminent in this singular servant of God, as a luster to his … other excellent gifts and graces 1660 Red Bk. Menteith II 161.
My sone, whose singular naturall indewments merits love and respects(b) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 75.
And gif ye be freindly to your friendis only, quhat singlar thing do ye? Dois nocht the publicanis alswa siclik wais?

13. quasi-adv. Singularly, especially, particularly; ? selfishly.(1) ?a1500 Dewoit Exerc. 197.
That the folk suld ken weill be ȝour claithis, the quhilk wer singular weill bekend a1586 Maitland Ho. Seytoun 25.
The fourt sone, callit Maister Dauid … was ane singulare honest man a1578 Pitsc. I 24/24.
He was ane ȝoung man of singular guid appeirance c1590 Fowler II 45/29.
That singular leirnit man Maister Thomas Smetovn 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (ed.) 135.
Ane honorable and singulare cuning man 1562-92 Wode's Psalter (Bass, dupl. vol.) 172.
Singular gude musike(b) 1533 Gau 39/24.
This birth b[eho]wit to be ane singlar cleyne man without ony spot of sine 1570 Leslie 144.
A singlare wele learned clark called Hector Boetius(2) a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 545 (Arund.).
Think how thi flesche, quhilk now is singularfed [Asl. fynger fed, Harl. fingar fed], Salbe the fude of werme and scorpioun

B. noun. ? A single person or individual; ? a single point or detail. 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1751) 71.
On singulars we will not harp, For the apply will be to Sharp