Definition of "singularity" [sin•gu•lar•i•ty]

• The quality or condition of being singular. (noun)
• A trait marking one as distinct from others; a peculiarity. (noun)
• Something uncommon or unusual. (noun)
• Astrophysics A point in space-time at which gravitational forces cause matter to have infinite density and infinitesimal volume, and space and time to become infinitely distorted. (noun)
• Mathematics A point at which the derivative does not exist for a given function but every neighborhood of which contains points for which the derivative exists. Also called singular point. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Many of us are familiar with the term singularity with respect to mathematics and space."
• "This singularity is a point in space-time of unlimited density."
• "In astrophysical terms, a singularity is a point in space with no height, width, or depth – often with a whole star shoved inside."