Abstract
We introduce a minimal generalization of Newton-non-degenerate singularities of hypersurfaces. Roughly speaking, an isolated hypersurface singularity is called directionally Newton-non-degenerate if the local embedded topological singularity type can be restored from a collection of Newton diagrams. A singularity that is not directionally Newton-non-degenerate is called essentially Newton-degenerate. For plane curves we give an explicit and simple characterization of directionally Newton-non-degenerate singularities, for hypersurfaces we give some examples. Then we treat the question: is Newton-non-degenerate or directionally Newton-non-degenerate a property of singular types or of particular representatives.Namely, is the non-degeneracy preserved in an equi-singular family? This is proved for curves. For hypersurfaces we give an example of a Newton-non-degenerate hypersurface whose equi-singular deformation consists of essentially Newton-degenerate hypersurfaces. Finally, the classical formulas for the Milnor number (Kouchnirenko) and the zeta function (Varchenko) of the Newton-non-degenerate singularity are generalized to some classes of directionally Newton-non-degenerate singularities.