from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Solitaire \Sol`i*taire"\, n. [F. See {Solitary}.]
1. A person who lives in solitude; a recluse; a hermit.
--Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. A single diamond in a setting; also, sometimes, a precious
stone of any kind set alone.
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Diamond solitaires blazing on his breast and wrists.
--Mrs. R. H.
Davis.
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3. A game which one person can play alone; -- applied to many
games of cards, etc.; also, to a game played on a board
with pegs or balls, in which the object is, beginning with
all the places filled except one, to remove all but one of
the pieces by "jumping," as in draughts.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Zool.)
(a) A large extinct bird ({Pezophaps solitaria}) which
formerly inhabited the islands of Mauritius and
Rodrigeuz. It was larger and taller than the wild
turkey. Its wings were too small for flight. Called
also {solitary}.
(b) Any species of American thrushlike birds of the genus
{Myadestes}. They are noted their sweet songs and
retiring habits. Called also {fly-catching thrush}. A
West Indian species ({Myadestes sibilans}) is called
the {invisible bird}.
[1913 Webster]