Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SINGULAR, adj. Sc. usages:
1. Of a fight or combat: single, between two contestants only, man to man. Obs. in Eng. after 16th c.Sc. 1752 J. Louthian Form of Process 22:
To vindicate himself, by singular Combat, or be tried by an Inquest.Sc. 1826 Scott Woodstock xiv.:
Those in his high place fight no singular combats.
2. In Sc. Law phr. singular successor, one who acquires heritable property by a single title, normally by purchase, as opposed to an heir whose title is general or universal (Sc. 1946 A.D. Gibb Legal Terms 82).Sc. 1722 W. Forbes Institutes I. iii. 1:
A Singular Successor is he who acquires any Right or Thing, by a particular Title, for some Cause. If for Value given, or for valuable Consideration, the Acquirer is termed a singular Successor for an onerous Cause.Sc. 1775 Morison Decisions 15061:
Nothing is said as to the entry of a singular successor.Sc. 1838 W. Bell Dict. Law Scot. 918:
A singular successor acquires right solely by the singular title acquired from the former proprietor.Sc. 1896 W. K. Morton Manual 114:
Heir means the heir-at-law, who in old law took as universal successor of his ancestor, and, as opposed to him, singular successor meant anyone taking a portion of the estate by a separate (singular) title, such as a deed conveying it; which term has been extended to all cases of acquisition of estate, whether on sale or gift, not by operation of law.Sc. 1929 Glasgow Herald (27 Dec.) 3:
“Singular successors,” meaning persons who acquired the land by gift or purchase or any particular title — not as heirs.
