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There is no really adequate definition of '''singular term'''. Here are some definitions proposed by different writers:
# A term that tells us which individual is being talked about. (John Stuart Mill, Arthur Prior, P. F. Strawson) ^[1]
# A term that is grammatically singular, i.e. a proper name (''proprium nomen''), a demonstrative pronoun (''pronomen demonstrativum'') or a demonstrative pronoun with a common name (''cum termino communi''). (William of Ockham)^[2]
# A term that is inherently ''about'' the object to which it applies or refers. (Gottlob Frege) ^[3]
# A term that is true "in the same sense" of only one object. (Peter of Spain)^[4]

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References

Works cited

References

1. Strawson 1950, Prior 1976, Mill 1908
2. Ockham, ''loc. cit.''
3. Frege 1892
4. Hispanus 1947

Works cited

★ Frege, G. (1892) "On Sense and Reference", originally published as " Über Sinn und Bedeutung" in ''Zeitschrift für Philosophie und philosophische Kritik'', vol. 100, pp. 25-50. Transl. Geach & Black 56-78.

★ Mill, J.S., ''A System of Logic'', London 1908 (8th edition).

★ Petrus Hispanus, ''Summulae Logicales'', ed. I. M. Bochenski (Turin, 1947) – also quoted in Prior 1976

★ Prior, A.N. ''The Doctrine of Propositions & Terms'' London 1976

★ Strawson, P.F. "On Referring", ''Mind'' 1950 pp. 320-44.

★ William of Ockham, '' Summa logicae'' Paris 1448, Bologna 1498, Venice 1508, Oxford 1675