Singularity vs Plurality - What's the difference?
singularity | plurality | Antonyms |
the state of being singular, distinct, peculiar, uncommon or unusual
* Addison
* Sir Walter Raleigh
a point where all parallel lines meet
a point where a measured variable reaches unmeasurable or infinite value
(mathematics) the value or range of values of a function for which a derivative does not exist
(physics) a point or region in spacetime in which gravitational forces cause matter to have an infinite density; associated with black holes
A proposed point in the technological future at which artificial intelligences become capable of augmenting and improving themselves, leading to an explosive growth in intelligence.
(obsolete) Anything singular, rare, or curious.
* Shakespeare
(obsolete) Possession of a particular or exclusive privilege, prerogative, or distinction.
* Hooker
* Bishop Pearson
(obsolete) celibacy
(uncountable) The state of being plural.
(ecclesiastical) The holding of multiple benefices.
* 1644 , (John Milton), Aeropagitica :
(countable) A state of being numerous.
(countable) A number or part of a whole which is greater than any other number or part, but not necessarily a majority.
(countable) A number of votes for a single candidate or position which is greater than the number of votes gained by any other single candidate or position voted for, but which is less than a majority of valid votes cast.
* 1977 September 8, "Crime against clarity", editorial, , page 14 [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=818zAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TiMIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1343,2352985]:
(countable) A margin by which a number exceeds another number, especially of votes.
* 1948 December 10, "President Race Ignored by 683,382 Voters", , page A-2 [http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=acQcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ulcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6598,2141245]:
(countable) A group of many entities: a large number.
(countable) A group composed of more than one entity.
* 1989 , United States Patent 5065364, abstract:
(of spouses) polygamy.
Plurality is a antonym of singularity.
As nouns the difference between singularity and plurality
is that singularity is the state of being singular, distinct, peculiar, uncommon or unusual while plurality is the state of being plural.singularity
English
Noun
- I took notice of this little figure for the singularity of the instrument.
- Pliny addeth this singularity to that soil, that the second year the very falling down of the seeds yieldeth corn.
- Your gallery Have we passed through, not without much content / In many singularities .
- No bishop of Rome ever took upon him this name of singularity [universal bishop].
- Catholicism must be understood in opposition to the legal singularity of the Jewish nation.
- (Jeremy Taylor)
Derived terms
* nonsingularity * naked singularityExternal links
* * *plurality
English
Noun
- It was the complaint and lamentation of Prelats, upon every least breath of a motion to remove pluralities , and distribute more equally Church revennu's, that then all learning would be for ever dasht and discourag'd.
- To repeal the tax (Question I), a 50 per cent majority vote is required. To keep the tax in its 1976 form (Question III), only a plurality of votes is required.
- Truman's total vote was 24,104,836. Dewey received 21,969,500;. Truman won by a plurality of 2,135,336, but it was the first time since 1916 that a winner has failed to capture a majority of all votes cast.
- A plurality of ideas were put forth at the meeting, most of which were rejected out of hand.
- The array is organized into a plurality of vertical (column) blocks.