1. Existing, living, or going without others; alone: a solitary traveler. See synonyms at alone. 2. Happening, done, or made alone: a solitary evening; solitary pursuits such as reading and sewing.3. Remote from civilization; secluded: a solitary retreat.4. Having no companions; lonesome or lonely. 5.Zoology Living alone or in pairs only: solitary wasps; solitary sparrows.6. Single and set apart from others: a solitary instance of cowardice.
NOUN:
Inflected forms: pl. sol·i·tar·ies 1. A person who lives alone; a recluse. 2. Solitary confinement.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French solitaire, from Latin slitrius, from slits, solitude, from slus, alone. See s(w)e- in Appendix I.
s
l
-t
r
lit
rius, from s
-l
