singleness
/'siɳglnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The state or quality of being single, undivided, or alone: This refers to the condition of not being multiple, combined, or accompanied by others. It can describe physical separation or a state of being unmarried. 2. Undivided attention or purpose; wholehearted concentration on one thing: This refers to a focused, unwavering commitment to a single aim, goal, or principle, without distraction or conflicting interests.
Usage and Examples
- Referring to an undivided state or purpose:
- His singleness of purpose made him a formidable leader. (His complete and unwavering focus on one goal made him a formidable leader.)
- The success of the project was due to the team's singleness of vision. (The project succeeded because the team shared one unified vision.)
- Referring to the state of being alone or unmarried (less common in modern usage):
- In her singleness, she found great independence. (In her unmarried state, she found great independence.)
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- "Singleness of heart/mind": Sincerity and undivided loyalty.
- She served the community with a remarkable singleness of heart. (She served the community with remarkable sincerity and wholehearted dedication.)
- The term often carries a positive connotation of purity of intention, dedication, and focus, as seen in the reference context questioning the "singleness of his motives."
Variants and Related Words
- Single (adj): Only one; not married.
- Singular (adj): Exceptional; unusual; referring to one person or thing (grammar).
- Singularity (n): The state, fact, or quality of being singular.
Synonyms
- Unity: The state of being united or joined as a whole.
- Focus: The center of interest or activity; concentrated attention.
- Concentration: The action or power of focusing one's attention.
- Solemnity (in the sense of earnest commitment): The state or quality of being serious and dignified.
- Celibacy (specifically for unmarried state): The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations.
Antonyms
- Duplicity: Deceitfulness; double-dealing.
- Distraction: A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.
- Division: The action of separating something into parts.
- Multiplicity: A large number or variety.
Idioms and Phrases
- With singleness of purpose: Doing something with complete and undivided dedication to one goal.
- They pursued the scientific breakthrough with singleness of purpose.
Noun
- the quality of concentrating on one central objective
- his singleness of purpose
- without hypocrisy
- the singleness of his motives could not be questioned