Singling out is spelled with two separate words, "singling" and "out". The first syllable of "singling" is pronounced as /ˈsɪŋɡlɪŋ/ with a short "i" sound, followed by a soft "g" and the "l" sound. The second syllable is pronounced as /-ɪŋ/ with the "i" sound and the "-ng" sound. The word "out" is pronounced as /aʊt/ with the "ou" sound and the "t" sound. Together, they form a compound word that means to isolate or distinguish a particular item or person from others.
Singling out refers to the act of deliberately selecting or isolating someone or something from a group or a larger number of individuals or items. It involves bringing attention to a particular person, object, or situation in a way that distinguishes it from others.
When a person or entity is singled out, they are being highlighted for scrutiny, recognition, praise, criticism, or punishment, often in a manner that may expose them to differential treatment. This could be on the basis of their specific characteristics, actions, achievements, or circumstances.
The act of singling out can occur in various contexts, such as social interactions, organizational settings, or even within a societal or political context. It can have both positive and negative implications, depending on the purpose or intention behind singling out someone or something.
On one hand, singling out can be employed to acknowledge exceptional performance or contributions, granting recognition and rewards to deserving individuals. This may motivate and encourage others to strive for similar achievements.
On the other hand, singling out can also be used to unfairly discriminate against someone or unfairly target them for negative treatment. This can lead to feelings of isolation, unfairness, and possible consequences for the individual being singled out.
Overall, singling out entails the deliberate act of distinguishing and emphasizing someone or something from a larger group, thereby directing focused attention onto the selected subject.
The etymology of the phrase "singling out" can be broken down into its two constituent words: "single" and "out".
The word "single" comes from the Old French word "sengle", which means "individual" or "separate". It has its roots in the Latin word "singulus", meaning "one at a time" or "one by one". The sense of singularity or individuality carried over to the English language, giving rise to the meaning of "single" as "one only" or "unique".
The word "out" has Old English origins, derived from the word "ūt". It originally meant "outside" or "from the outside", referring to being outside of a particular group or place.
When combined, the phrase "singling out" conveys the idea of isolating or distinguishing a particular person or thing from a group or context.