Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Solitaire?

\Sol`i*taire"\, n. [F. See {Solitary}.] 1. A person who lives in solitude; a recluse; a hermit. --Pope. 2. A single diamond in a setting; also, sometimes, a precious stone of any kind set alone. Diamond solitaires blazing on his breast and wrists. --Mrs. R. H. Davis. 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. 4. (Zo["o]l.) (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}.