a. [ L. solitarius, fr. solus alone: cf. F. solitaire. See Sole, a., and cf. Solitaire. ] 1. Living or being by one's self; having no companion present; being without associates; single; alone; lonely. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those rare and solitary, these in flocks. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hie home unto my chamber,
Where thou shalt find me, sad and solitary. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Performed, passed, or endured alone; as, a solitary journey; a solitary life. [ 1913 Webster ]

Satan . . . explores his solitary flight. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not much visited or frequented; remote from society; retired; lonely; as, a solitary residence or place. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not inhabited or occupied; without signs of inhabitants or occupation; desolate; deserted; silent; still; hence, gloomy; dismal; as, the solitary desert. [ 1913 Webster ]

How doth the city sit solitary, that was full of people. Lam. i. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein. Job iii. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Single; individual; sole; as, a solitary instance of vengeance; a solitary example. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Bot.) Not associated with others of the same kind. [ 1913 Webster ]

Solitary ant (Zool.), 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 (Zool.), any species of bee which does not form communities. --
Solitary sandpiper (Zool.), an American tattler (Totanus solitarius). --
Solitary snipe (Zool.), the great snipe. [ Prov. Eng. ] --
Solitary thrush (Zool.) the starling. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who lives alone, or in solitude; an anchoret; a hermit; a recluse. [ 1913 Webster ]