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singularitas

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word singularitas

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
c. 160–220 AD, Tertullian
Ultimate origin
Latin singulāris
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin singularis
Latin singularitas
From the same root
Latin singulariter ← singularis

Forms

singulāritās f (genitive singulāritātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin singulāris (“single, alone”) + -tās,[1][2][3] a post-Classical abstract noun.[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in Tertullian, meaning the state of being alone or single, singleness,[2][5] and in particular an unmarried life.[3][5][4]

Semantic evolution

Grammarians used it for the singular number, from Charisius on, against plūrālitās, the plural.[2][3] In arithmetic and philosophy it meant unity or the number one, in Martianus Capella and Chalcidius,[3][5] and Augustine uses it for unity.[4] In Ecclesiastical Latin it is oneness or singularity.[6]

The DMLBS records the medieval senses: singleness, as opposed to multiplicity; a special quality or distinctive feature; and something peculiar or eccentric; in a legal text it refers to a matter belonging to one person's jurisdiction.[7] English singularity comes from it, partly through Old French.[8]

Timeline

  • c. 160–220 AD – Tertullian uses it for singleness and for celibacy.[2][5][9]
  • c. 362 AD – Charisius uses it for the singular number.[2][9]
  • 354–430 AD – Augustine uses it for unity.[4][9]
  • 435/439 AD – Salvian uses it in the sense of singleness.[2][9]
  • 5th century AD – Martianus Capella uses it for the number one.[3][5][9]
  • early 13th century – Borrowed into English as singularity, for unusual behaviour.[8]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The state of being alone or single, singleness; uniqueness.[2][5][4]
  2. An unmarried life, celibacy.[3][5][4]
  3. (grammar) The singular number.[2][3][5]
  4. (arithmetic) Unity, the number one.[2][3][5]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Oneness, singularity.[6]
  6. (Medieval Latin) A special quality or distinctive feature; a peculiarity.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  4. ^ a b c d e f Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  6. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  7. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  9. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
Cite this entry

“Singularitas.” Etymologically, 24 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/singularitas. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

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