What Does "Sing., U" Mean in the English Dictionary?
When you're flipping through the pages of an English dictionary, you may come across abbreviations and symbols that you're not familiar with. One such abbreviation is "Sing., U." So, what does it mean? Let's explore.
The Meaning of "Sing."
The abbreviation "Sing." stands for "singular," which is a grammatical term used to describe a noun or pronoun that refers to one person, animal, thing, or concept. In English, singular nouns are usually marked by the absence of an "-s" at the end. For example:
- "Dog" is a singular noun, while "dogs" is the plural form.
- "Book" is a singular noun, while "books" is the plural form.
- "Child" is a singular noun, while "children" is the plural form.
When you see "Sing." in a dictionary entry, it means that the word is a singular noun or that the definition applies to a singular noun.
The Meaning of "U."
The letter "U" in "Sing., U" stands for "uncountable." This means that the noun cannot be counted or quantified in a numerical sense. Uncountable nouns are usually things that are difficult to measure or quantify, such as:
- Liquids: water, milk, juice, etc.
- Substances: sugar, salt, flour, etc.
- Abstract concepts: love, happiness, freedom, etc.
When you see "U" in a dictionary entry, it means that the noun is uncountable and cannot be used with a numerical quantity.
Examples of "Sing., U" in Dictionary Entries
Here are some examples of dictionary entries that use the "Sing., U" abbreviation:
- Water: a clear liquid that has no taste or smell and that falls from clouds as rain, forms streams, lakes, and seas, and is used for drinking, washing, etc. (Sing., U)
- Sugar: a sweet substance that is used to make food and drinks sweet or to preserve them (Sing., U)
- Love: a feeling of strong attachment or admiration for someone or something (Sing., U)
As you can see, the "Sing., U" abbreviation is used to indicate that the noun is singular and uncountable.
Conclusion
The "Sing., U" abbreviation in the English dictionary indicates that a noun is singular and uncountable. This means that the noun cannot be quantified in a numerical sense. By understanding this abbreviation, you can better understand the definitions of the words you encounter in your reading and writing.