Definitions for "SOLITARY WAVE"
WAVE consisting of a single ELEVATION (above the water surface) of height not necessarily small compared to the DEPTH, and neither followed or preceded by another ELEVATION or DEPRESSION of the water surface.
Single waves, or an isolated train of waves that can be of considerable height and different to the prevailing ocean wave conditions and have been associated with some spectacular maritime incidents. These may take the form of solitons, tsunamis, tidal bores, and tidal rip or hydraulic jumps.
(physics) a quantum of energy or quasiparticle that can be propagated as a traveling wave in nonlinear systems and is neither preceded nor followed by another such disturbance; does not obey the superposition principle and does not dissipate; "soliton waves can travel long distances with little loss of energy or structure"