Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            No single man is born with a right of controlling
            the opinions of all the rest.         --Pope.

   2. Alone; having no companion.

            Who single hast maintained, Against revolted
            multitudes, the cause Of truth.       --Milton.

   3. Hence, unmarried; as, a single man or woman.

            Grows, lives, and dies in single blessedness.
                                                  --Shak.

            Single chose to live, and shunned to wed. --Dryden.

   4. Not doubled, twisted together, or combined with others;
      as, a single thread; a single strand of a rope.

   5. Performed by one person, or one on each side; as, a single
      combat.

            These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant, . . .
            Who now defles thee thrice ti single fight.
                                                  --Milton.

   6. Uncompounded; pure; unmixed.

            Simple ideas are opposed to complex, and single to
            compound.                             --I. Watts.

   7. Not deceitful or artful; honest; sincere.

            I speak it with a single heart.       --Shak.

   8. Simple; not wise; weak; silly. [Obs.]

            He utters such single matter in so infantly a voice.
                                                  --Beau. & Fl.

   {Single ale}, {beer}, or {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.



   2. Course of thought; thread of narration. [Obs.]

            Let me resume the file of my narration. --Sir H.
                                                  Wotton.

   {File firing}, the act of firing by file, or each file
      independently of others.

   {File leader}, the soldier at the front of any file, who
      covers and leads those in rear of him.

   {File marching}, the marching of a line two deep, when faced
      to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank
      march side by side. --Brande & C. 

   {Indian file}, or {Single file}, a line of men marching one
      behind another; a single row.

   {On file}, preserved in an orderly collection.

   {Rank and file}.
      (a) The body of soldiers constituing the mass of an army,
          including corporals and privates. --Wilhelm.
      (b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a
          party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.

Source : WordNet®

single file
     n : a line of persons or things ranged one behind the other
         [syn: {file}, {Indian file}]