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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

6,487 words match “SIN”

SINGER n. 4 definitions

One who, or that which, singes. Specifically:

A songstress. [Obs.] Wyclif.

Same as Cingalese.

from Sing, v. Singing bird. (Zoöl.) (a) Popularly, any bird that sings; a song bird. (b) Specifically, any one of the Oscines. -- Singing book, a book containing music for singing; a book of tunes. -- Singing falcon or hawk. (Zoöl.) See Chanting falcon, under Chanting. -- Singing fish (Zoöl.), a California toadfish…

With sounds like singing; with a kind of tune; in a singing tone. G. North (1575).

SINGLE a. 17 definitions

as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star. No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. Pope.

A tax levied upon land alone, irrespective of improvements, -- advocated by certain economists as the sole source of public revenue.

SINGLE-ACTING a.

Having simplicity of action; especially (Mach.), acting or exerting force during strokes in one direction only; -- said of a reciprocating engine, pump, etc.

SINGLE-BREASTED a.

breast only far enough to permit of buttoning, and having buttons on one edge only; as, a single-breasted coast.

An irregular gait of a horse; -- called also single-footed pace. See Single, v. i. Single-foot is an irregular pace, rather rare, distinguished by the posterior extremities moving in the order of a fast walk, and the anterior extremities in that of a slow trot. Stillman (The Horse in Motion.)

SINGLE-HANDED a.

Having but one hand, or one workman; also, alone; unassisted.

SINGLE-HEARTED a.

Having an honest heart; free from duplicity. -- Sin"gle-heart"ed*ly, adv.

SINGLE-MINDED a.

Having a single purpose; hence, artless; guileless; single- hearted.

SINGLE-SURFACED a.

Having one surface; -- said specif. of aëroplanes or aërocurves that are covered with fabric, etc., on only one side.

SINGLENESS n. 2 definitions

The quality or state of being single, or separate from all others; the opposite of doubleness, complication, or multiplicity.

See Single, n., 2.

SINGLESTICK n. 2 definitions

The game played with singlesticks, in which he who first brings blood from his adversary's head is pronounced victor; backsword; cudgeling.

An unlined or undyed waistcoat; a single garment; -- opposed to doublet. [Prov. Eng.]

In certain games at cards, as whist, a single card of any suit held at the deal by a player; as, to lead a singleton.

The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces of a harnessed horse are fixed; a whiffletree.