[extropy-chat] singularity(3)

[Harvey Newstrom]

Spike wrote,
> This article speaks of a new record for the largest
> star ever seen.
> 
> http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n0401/12brighteststar/
> 
> 
> The article contains a remarkable comment that uses the 
> term "singularity" to mean single-ness:
> 
> "More study will be needed to determine the distance and 
> singularity of the object in order to establish whether the 
> object is truly the most massive star known."
> 
> This is the only example I have ever seen of this third 
> definition of the term.

This is actually the primary and normal meaning of this word, Spike.  Only a
small minority of specialists use the term for what you think it means.
This is a common usage that I have seen a lot.

Look at <http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=singularity> for the
definitions from:

- The American HeritageR Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, C 1996, 1998
- WordNet R 1.6, C 1997 Princeton University
- On-line Medical Dictionary, C 1997-98

Only the first dictionary even mentions the meaning you expect.  The others
don't seem to have heard of your specialized meaning.

-- 
Harvey Newstrom, CISSP, CISA, CISM, IAM, IBMCP, GSEC
Certified IS Security Pro, Certified IS Auditor, Certified InfoSec Manager,
NSA Certified Assessor, IBM Certified Consultant, SANS Certified GIAC
<HarveyNewstrom.com> <Newstaff.com>