Solitary — Defs

01 a. Living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely.

1.
Living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely.
“Those rare and solitary, these in flocks.” — Milton.

“Hie home unto my chamber, Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary.” — Shak.
2.
Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life.
“Satan . . . explores his solitary flight.” — Milton.
3.
Not much visited or frequented; remote from society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place.
4.
Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert.
“How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people.” — Lam. i. 1.

“Let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein.” — Job iii. 7.
5.
Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example.
6.
Not associated with others of the same kind.(Bot.)

Phrases & compounds

Solitary ant — any solitary hymenopterous insect of the family Mutillidae. The female of these insects is destitute of wings and has a powerful sting. The male is winged and resembles a wasp. Called also spider ant.

Solitary bee — any species of bee which does not form communities.

Solitary sandpiper — an American tattler (Totanus solitarius).

Solitary snipe — the great snipe.

Solitary thrush — the starling.

02 n. One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse.

1.
One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse.