single-activity
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🇺🇸
/ˌsɪŋɡəl ækˈtɪvɪti/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɪŋɡ(ə)l ækˈtɪvɪti/
one action only
Etymology
'single-activity' is a modern English compound formed from 'single' + 'activity'. 'single' ultimately comes from Latin 'singulus' meaning 'one by one' (via Old French and Middle English), and 'activity' comes from Latin 'activitas' (from 'activus', from 'agere' 'to do') via Old French 'activite' and late Latin.
'single' evolved from Latin 'singulus' → Old French (via forms related to 'single'/'sengle') → Middle English 'single'. 'Activity' derived from Latin 'activitas' → Old French/Medieval Latin forms → Modern English 'activity'. The hyphenated compound 'single-activity' is a recent, transparent formation in modern English (20th–21st century usage) combining the two words to specify a single focused action or program.
Initially, the components meant 'one at a time' ('single') and 'action/energetic quality' ('activity'); combined in modern usage they mean 'having or consisting of only one activity' or 'focused on a single action'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an activity that is performed as the only or primary action in a program, event, or situation; a single task or event.
The festival featured a single-activity: a charity run open to all ages.
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Adjective 1
consisting of, involving, or limited to one activity; designed for or focused on a single action or purpose.
The summer program is single-activity: participants only practice swimming.
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Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/21 07:05