a. and sb. [f. L. sōlivagus, f. sōlus + vagārī to wander: see -ANT.]
A. adj. Wandering about alone; characterized by going alone.
1641. J. Mede, Apostasy of Later Times, 142. All that crew of hypocrites, whether solivagant Hermites, or Anchorites,… or Coenobites.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Solivagant,… that goes here and there alone, and flies company, wandering all alone, solitary. [Hence in Phillips, Bailey, etc.]
1842. United Service Mag., II. 5. The solivagant habit … is principally confined to intercourse with his peers, for he is usually attended by two or three … pilot-fish.
B. sb. One who wanders about alone.
1621. Granger, Eccl., iv. 99. A Description of the impure drudge;… That is to say, a soliuagant, or solitary vagrant.
1690. C. Nesse, Hist. & Myst. O. & N. Test., I. 297. Jacob seems to be … a meer soli-vagant, or solitary vagrant.
1899. ‘Monkshood,’ Kipling, 160. Dick walks out … and plays the solivagant for about ten years.
So Solivagous a. rare–0.
1727. Bailey (vol. II.), Solivagous, wandring alone, solitary.
1846. Worcester (citing Gentl. Mag.).
