'Single whip' definitions:

Definition of 'Single whip'

From: GCIDE
  • Single \Sin"gle\, a. [L. singulus, a dim. from the root in simplex simple; cf. OE. & OF. sengle, fr. L. singulus. See Simple, and cf. Singular.]
  • 1. One only, as distinguished from more than one; consisting of one alone; individual; separate; as, a single star. [1913 Webster]
  • No single man is born with a right of controlling the opinions of all the rest. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Alone; having no companion. [1913 Webster]
  • Who single hast maintained, Against revolted multitudes, the cause Of truth. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman. [1913 Webster]
  • Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Single chose to live, and shunned to wed. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others; as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single combat. [1913 Webster]
  • These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . . Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed. [1913 Webster]
  • Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to compound. --I. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere. [1913 Webster]
  • I speak it with a single heart. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
  • Single ale, Single beer, or Single drink, small ale, etc., as contrasted with double ale, etc., which is stronger. [Obs.] --Nares.
  • Single bill (Law), a written engagement, generally under seal, for the payment of money, without a penalty. --Burril.
  • Single court (Lawn Tennis), a court laid out for only two players.
  • Single-cut file. See the Note under 4th File.
  • Single entry. See under Bookkeeping.
  • Single file. See under 1st File.
  • Single flower (Bot.), a flower with but one set of petals, as a wild rose.
  • Single knot. See Illust. under Knot.
  • Single whip (Naut.), a single rope running through a fixed block. [1913 Webster]