Solitary

Adjective

Definition: Done or existing alone; without companions.

Definition: Exclusively occupied or done by one person.

Synonyms: Lonely, Alone, Isolated, Single

Antonyms: Social, Companionable, Crowded, Packed

Examples:

The prisoner spent years in solitary confinement.
She enjoys solitary walks in the woods.

Mnemonics:

Think of "solitary" as being alone and secluded.
Associate "solitary" with "solitude", which means the state of being alone.

Etymology:

Origin:

Middle English from Latin 'solitarius', from 'solus' meaning 'alone'.

Historical Usage:

The word 'solitary' has been used in English since the 14th century to describe being alone or solitary.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Solitary confinement"

Explanation:

A form of imprisonment in which a prisoner is isolated from any human contact, typically in a small cell, for most of the day.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing 'solitary' with 'solitude'.

Explanation:

While both words relate to being alone, 'solitary' refers more to physical aloneness, while 'solitude' refers to the state of being alone and enjoying it, often used in a positive sense.