Umbrian (-эn) •adj. designating or of Umbria or its people, or the Italic language of ancient Umbria •n. 1 a native or inhabitant of Umbria 2 the Italic language of ancient Umbria
Umbundu (эm bu:n´du:', ûm-) •n. var. of MBUNDU
umiak or umiaq (u:´mi: æk') •n. a large, open boat made of skins stretched on a wooden frame, used by Eskimos for transporting goods and traditionally rowed by women [Esk (Eastern dial.)]
umlaut (um´laut) •n. Linguis. 1 a) a historical change in the sound of a vowel, caused by its assimilation to another vowel or semivowel originally occurring in the next syllable but later sometimes lost; mutation: in English, the differences of vowel in certain singulars and plurals (Ex.: foot—feet, mouse—mice) or in certain causative verbs and the words from which they are derived (Ex.: gold—gild) are due to the effects of umlaut on the second word of each pair b) a vowel resulting from such assimilation 2 the diacritical mark (¨) placed over a vowel, esp. in German, to indicate umlaut: cf. DIERESIS •vt. to modify the sound of (a vowel) or write (a vowel) with an umlaut [Ger, change of sound (< um, about + laut, sound, akin to LOUD): coined (1774) by F. G. Klopstock (1724-1803), Ger poet, but first used in special senses by Jakob GRIMM (1819)]
ump (ûmp) •n., vt., vi. short for UMPIRE
umpirage (ûm´pair'ij) •n. 1 the position or authority of an umpire 2 an action or ruling of an umpire
umpire (ûm´pair') •n. 1 a person chosen to render a decision in a dispute; judge; arbiter 2 an official who administers the rules in certain team sports, as baseball or cricket •vt. -pired', -pir'ing to act as umpire in or of •vi. to act as umpire SYN. JUDGE [ME oumpere, altered by faulty separation of a noumpire < noumpere (see ADDER², APRON) < MFr nomper, uneven, hence an uneven number, third person < non, not + per, even < L par, PAR]
umpteen (ûmp´ti:n´) •adj. [Slang] a great number of; very many ump´teenth´ •adj. [ump-, indefinite sound for an uncertain number + -TEEN]
Umtata (um tät´э) capital of Transkei, in the central part: pop. 29,000
UMW United Mine Workers (of America)
UN United Nations
un- (ûn; unstressed, also эn) prefix 1 not, lack of, the opposite of {unconcern, unreason, unflappable, unwonted}: see NON- 2 back; the reverse or removal of: added to verbs to indicate a reversal of the action and to nouns to indicate a removal or release of the thing mentioned or from the condition, place, etc. indicated, and sometimes used merely as an intensive [unbind, unfold; unbonnet, unbosom; unloose] The list at the bottom of this and the following pages includes many of the more common compounds formed with un- (either sense) that do not have special meanings [ME un-, on- < OE un-, on-, and-, back, akin to Ger ent-, Du ont-] unabashed unabated unabbreviated unabetted unabsolved unabsorbed unacademic unaccented unacceptable unaccepted unacclimated unaccommodating unaccredited unacknowledged unacquainted unadaptable unadjustable unadorned unadulterated unadventurous unadvertised unadvisable unaffiliated unafraid unaggressive unaided unaimed unalienable unalike unalleviated unallied unallowable unalloyed unalterable unaltered unambiguous unambitious unamplified unamusing unanalyzable unanalyzed unannealed unannounced unanswerable unanticipated unapologetic unappalled unapparent unappealable unappealing unappeasable unappetizing unappreciated unappreciative unapprehensive unapproached unarguable unarmored unartistic unascertained unashamed unaspirated unaspiring unassignable unassigned unassimilable unassimilated unassisted unassociated unassorted unassured unatoned unattainable unattempted unattested unattired unattractive unauspicious unauthentic unauthenticated unauthorized unavailability unavailable unavenged unavowed unawakened unawed unbaked unbaptized unbathed unbefitting unbelt unblamable unbleached unblemished unblinking unboned unbought unbraid unbranched unbranded unbreakable unbreathable unbribable unbridgeable unbrotherly unbruised unbrushed unbudgeted unburied unburnable unburned unburnt unbusinesslike unbuttered uncaged uncalculating uncanceled uncancelled uncanonical uncaring uncarpeted uncasked uncastrated uncataloged uncaught unceasing unceasingly uncelebrated uncensored uncensured uncertified unchain unchallenged unchangeable unchanged unchanging unchaperoned uncharacteristic unchartered unchaste unchastened unchecked uncherished unchewed unchilled unchivalrous unchosen unchristened unclaimed unclarified unclassifiable uncleaned unclear uncleared unclipped unclog unclouded uncluttered uncoagulated uncoated uncocked uncoined uncollectable uncollected uncolonized uncolored uncombed uncombinable uncombined uncomely uncomforted uncommissioned uncompanionable uncompensated uncomplaining uncompleted uncomplicated uncomplimentary uncomplying uncompounded uncomprehending uncomprehensible uncompressed unconcealed unconciliated unconcluded uncondemned uncondensed unconducive unconfessed unconfined unconfirmed unconfused uncongealed uncongenial uncongeniality unconquerable unconquered unconscientious unconsecrated unconsoled unconsolidated unconstituted unconstrained unconstricted unconsumed uncontaminated uncontemplated uncontested uncontradictable uncontrived uncontrollable uncontrollably uncontrolled uncontrovertible unconverted unconvinced unconvincing uncooked uncooled uncooperative uncoordinated uncorrected uncorroborated uncorrupted uncountable uncrate uncreative uncredited uncrippled uncropped uncrowded uncrushable uncrystallized uncultivable uncultivated uncultured uncurable uncurbed uncured uncurtailed uncurtained uncushioned uncustomary undamaged undated undaughterly undebatable undecayed undecipherable undeclared undeclinable undecomposable undecorated undefaced undefeatable undefeated undefended undefensible undefiled undefinable undefined undelegated undeliverable undemanding undemocratic undemocratically undemonstrable undenied undenominational undependable undepreciated undescended undescribable undescried undeserved undeserving undesignated undesired undesirous undestroyed undetachable undetected undeterminable undetermined undeterred undeveloped undeviating undevoured undevout undifferentiated undiffused undigested undigestible undignified undiluted undiminishable undiminished undimmed undiplomatic undiscernible undiscernibly undiscerning undischarged undisciplined undisclosed undiscouraged undiscoverable undiscovered undiscriminating undiscussed undisguised undisheartened undishonored undismantled undismayed undismembered undispelled undisputable undisputed undissected undissolved undissolving undistilled undistinguishable undistinguished undistorted undistracted undistressed undistributed undisturbed undiversified undiverted undivested undivided undivulged undogmatic undomestic undomesticated undrained undramatic undramatically undramatized undraped undried undrinkable undutiful undyed uneatable uneaten uneconomical unedible unedifying uneducable uneducated uneffaced unemancipated unembarrassed unembellished unemotional unemphatic unenclosed unencumbered unendearing unending unendorsed unendowed unendurable unenforceable unengaged unengaging un-English unenjoyable unenlightened unenriched unenrolled unenslaved unentangled unentered unenterprising unentertaining unenthralled unenthusiastic unentitled unenviable unenvious unequipped unerased unescapable unescorted unestablished unesthetic unethical unethically unexacting unexaggerated unexalted unexamined unexcavated unexcelled unexchangeable unexcitable unexcited unexciting unexcused unexecuted unexercised unexpanded unexpendable unexperienced unexpert unexpiated unexpired unexplainable unexplained unexplicit unexploded unexploited unexplored unexported unexposed unexpressed unexpunged unexpurgated unextended unextinguished unfaded unfading unfaltering unfashionable unfatherly unfathomable unfathomed unfeared unfearful unfeasible unfeathered unfed unfederated unfelt unfeminine unfenced unfermented unfertile unfertilized unfilled unfiltered unfired unflagging unflattering unflavored unflawed unforbidden unforced unfordable unforeknown unforeseeable unforeseen unforested unforfeited unforged unforgivable unforgivably unforgiven unforgotten unformulated unforsaken unfortified unfought unframed unfree unfrequented unfulfilled unfunded unfunny unfurnished ungarnished ungathered ungentlemanly ungenuine ungifted unglazed unglorified unglossed ungloved ungot ungotten ungowned ungraced ungraceful ungracefully ungracefulness ungraded ungraduated ungrateful ungratefulness ungratified ungreased ungrounded ungrudging unguessable unguided unhackneyed unhammered unhampered unhandled unhanged unhardened unharmed unharmful unharmonious unharnessed unharrowed unharvested unhasty unhatched unhealed unhealthful unheated unheeded unheeding unhelpful unheralded unheroic unhesitant unhesitating unhewn unhindered unhired unhomogeneous unhonored unhostile unhoused unhung unhurt unhusk unhygienic unhyphenated unidentified unidiomatic unilluminated unillustrated unimaginable unimaginably unimaginative unimitated unimpaired unimpassioned unimpeded unimplemented unimportance unimportant unimposing unimpregnated unimpressionable unimpressive unindemnified unindulged unindustrialized unindustrious uninfected uninfested uninflected uninfluenced uninfluential uninformed uninhabitable uninhabited uninitiated uninjured uninspiring uninstructed uninsurable uninsured unintegrated unintended unintermittent uninterpolated uninterpreted uninterrupted uninterruptedly unintimidated uninventive uninvested uninvited uninviting uninvoked uninvolved unjaded unjoined unjudicial unjustifiable unjustifiably unjustified unkept unkissed unlabeled unlabored unladylike unlamented unlaundered unleased unleavened unlessened unlessoned unlevel unlevied unlibidinous unlicensed unlifelike unlighted unlikable unlikeable unlined unliquefiable unlit unlived unlively unlocated unlovable unloved unloving unlubricated unmagnified unmaidenly unmalleable unmanageable unmanful unmanifested unmannered unmannish unmanufacturable unmanufactured unmarked unmarketable unmarred unmarriageable unmarried unmastered unmatchable unmatched unmated unmatted unmatured unmeant unmeasurable unmeasured unmechanical unmedicated unmeditated unmelodious unmelted unmenacing unmendable unmended unmentioned unmercenary unmerchantable unmerited unmesh unmethodical unmilitary unmilled unmingled unmirthful unmistaken unmitigable unmixed unmodified unmodish unmodulated unmoistened unmold unmolested unmolten unmortgaged unmotherly unmotivated unmounted unmourned unmovable unmoved unmoving unmown unmusical unmystified unnail unnamable unnameable unnamed unnaturalized unnavigable unnavigated unneeded unneedful unneighborly unnotched unnoted unnoticeable unnoticed unnurtured unobjectionable unobliging unobscured unobservant unobserved unobserving unobstructed unobtainable unobtruding unobtrusive unobtrusively unoffending unoffensive unoffered unofficial unofficially unofficious unoiled unopen unopened unopposed unoppressed unordained unoriginal unornamental unornamented unorthodox unorthodoxy unostentatious unowned unoxidized unpacified unpaid unpaid-for unpainful unpainted unpaired unpalatable unpardonable unpardoned unparted unpasteurized unpatched unpatented unpatriotic unpatriotically unpaved unpeaceable unpeaceful unpedigreed unpen unpenetrated unpensioned unperceivable unperceived unperceiving unperceptive unperfect unperfected unperformed unperplexed unpersuadable unpersuaded unpersuasive unperturbable unperturbed unphilosophic unphilosophical unpicked unpierced unpile unpitied unpitying unplaced unplanned unplanted unplayable unplayed unpleased unpleasing unpledged unpliable unploughed unplowed unplucked unplug unpoetic unpoetical unpointed unpoised unpolarized unpolished unpolite unpolitic unpolitical unpolluted unpopulated unposed unposted unpotted unpractical unpredictability unpredictable unpredictably unpreoccupied unprepared unprepossessing unprescribed unpresentable unpreserved unpressed unpresumptuous unpretending unpretentious unprevailing unpreventable unpriced unprimed unprincely unprinted unprivileged unprizable unprized unprobed unprocessed unprocurable unproductive unprofaned unprofessed unprofitable unprofitably unprogressive unprohibited unpromising unprompted unpronounceable unpronounced unpropitiable unpropitious unproportionate unproposed unprosperous unprotected unproved unproven unprovided unprovoked unpruned unpunctual unpunishable unpunished unpure unpurged unpurified unpurposed unquaking unqualifying unquelled unquenchable unquenched unquotable unquoted unransomed unrated unratified unravaged unreachable unrealizable unrealized unreasoned unrebuked unreceivable unreceived unreceptive unreciprocated unreclaimable unreclaimed unrecognizable unrecognized unrecommended unrecompensed unreconcilable unreconciled unrecorded unrecoverable unrecruited unrectified unredeemed unredressed unrefined unreflecting unreformable unreformed unrefreshed unregarded unregistered unregretted unregulated unrehearsed unrelated unrelaxed unreliability unreliable unreliably unrelievable unrelieved unremarked unremedied unremembered unremittable unremitted unremorseful unremovable unremunerated unremunerative unrendered unrenewed unrenowned unrentable unrented unrepaid unrepairable unrepaired unrepealed unrepentant unrepented unrepenting unreplaceable unreplaced unreplenished unreported unrepresentative unrepresented unrepressed unreprieved unreprimanded unreprovable unrequested unrequited unresentful unresigned unresistant unresisting unresolved unrespectful unresponsive unrested unrestful unrestrained unrestraint unrestricted unretentive unretracted unretrieved unreturned unrevealed unrevenged unreversed unreviewed unrevised unrevoked unrewarded unrewarding unrhymed unrhythmic unrhythmical unrightful unripened unroasted unrobe unromantic unromantically unroped unruled unrumpled unrusted unsafe unsaintly unsalability unsalable unsalaried unsaleability unsaleable unsalted unsampled unsanctified unsanctioned unsanitary unsated unsatiable unsatiated unsatiating unsatisfactorily unsatisfactory unsatisfied unsatisfying unsaved unsayable unscalable unscaled unscanned unscarred unscented unsceptical unscheduled unscholarly unscientific unscientifically unscorched unscourged unscratched unscreened unscriptural unsculptured unsealed unseasonal unseaworthy unseconded unseeded unseeing unsegmented unsegregated unselected unselective unsensational unsent unsentimental unseparated unserved unserviceable unsewn unsexual unshaded unshadowed unshakable unshakeable unshaken unshaped unshapely unshared unsharpened unshaved unshaven unshelled unsheltered unshielded unshod unshorn unshortened unshrinkable unshrinking unshrunk unshuffled unshut unshuttered unsifted unsighted unsigned unsilenced unsimilar unsimplified unsingable unsinkable unsisterly unsized unskeptical unslackened unslaked unsleeping unsliced unsmiling unsmoked unsnagged unsober unsoftened unsoiled unsold unsoldierly unsolicited unsolicitous unsolid unsolidified unsolvable unsolved unsoothed unsorted unsought unsounded unsoured unsowed unsown unspecialized unspecific unspecified unspectacular unspeculative unspent unspilled unspiritual unspirituality unsplit unspoiled unspoken unsporting unsportsmanlike unspotted unsprung unsquandered unsquared unstack unstained unstalked unstamped unstandardized unstarched unstarred unstated unstatesmanlike unsteadfast unstemmed unsterilized unstigmatized unstinted unstinting unstitched unstocked unstoppable unstrained unstrategic unstratified unstressed unstriated unstriped unstripped unstuffed unstylish unsubdued unsubmissive unsubscribed unsubsidized unsubstantiated unsuccessful unsuccessfully unsufferable unsuggestive unsuited unsullied unsunk unsupervised unsupportable unsupported unsuppressed unsure unsurmountable unsurpassable unsurpassed unsurprised unsusceptible unsuspecting unsuspicious unsustainable unsustained unswayed unsweetened unswept unswerving unswervingly unswollen unsymmetrical unsymmetry unsympathetic unsympathetically unsympathizing unsystematic unsystematically unsystematized untabulated untack untactful untagged untainted untalented untalkative untalked-of untamable untamed untanned untapped untarnished untasted untaxed unteachable untechnical untempered untenanted untended unterrified untested unthanked unthatched unthawed untheatrical unthoughtful unthought-of unthrifty unticketed untillable untilled untinged untipped untired untiring untorn untouched untraceable untraced untraditional untrained untrammeled untransferable untranslatable untranslated untransmitted untransported untransposed untrapped untraversed untreated untrimmed untrod untroubled untrustful untrustworthy untufted untunable untuned untuneful unturned untwilled untypical unusable unutilizable unutilized unuttered unvaccinated unvacillating unvalued unvanquished unvaried unvarying unventilated unverifiable unverified unversed unvested unvexed unvindicated unviolated unvisited unvocal unvocalized unvulcanized unwakened unwalled unwaning unwanted unwarlike unwarmed unwarned unwarped unwarrantable unwarranted unwashed unwasted unwatched unwatered unwavering unwaxed unweakened unweaned unwearable unweary unweathered unweave unwed unwedded unweeded unweighed unwelcome unwelded unwhipped unwilled unwinking unwished unwithering unwitnessed unwomanly unwon unwooded unwooed unworkability unworkable unworked unworkmanlike unworn unworried unworshiped unwounded unwoven unwrinkle unyielding unyouthful unzoned [ME < OE, akin to Gr an-, a- (see A-², AN-¹), L in- (see IN-²), and to the negative elements in no, not, nor]
Una (u:´nэ, yu:´-) a feminine name [Ir Una, Oonagh; also < L una, one]
una corda (u:´nэ kör´dэ) Musical Direction with the soft pedal depressed: a note to a pianist [It, lit., one string: the pedal allows the hammers to strike only one of the strings provided for each key]
unable (ûn ei´bэl) •adj. 1 not able; lacking the ability, means, or power to do something 2 incompetent 3 helpless; feeble
unabridged (ûn'э brijd´) •adj. 1 not abridged; complete 2 designating or of a dictionary that is not abridged from a larger work: an arbitrary designation for any of various large, extensive dictionaries Æ n. an unabridged dictionary
unaccommodated (ûn'э käm´э deit'id) •adj. 1 not accommodated or adapted 2 having no accommodations
unaccompanied (-kûm´pэ ni:d) •adj. 1 not accompanied 2 Music without an accompaniment
unaccomplished (-käm´plisht) •adj. 1 not accomplished or completed 2 having no accomplishments or skills
unaccountable (-kaunt´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be explained or accounted for; strange; mysterious 2 not accountable; not responsible un'ac·count'a·bil´i·ty or un'ac·count´a·ble·ness •n. un'ac·count´a·bly •adv.
unaccounted-for (-kaunt´id för') •adj. not explained or accounted for
unaccustomed (-kûs´tэmd) •adj. 1 not accustomed or habituated; not used (to) {unaccustomed to such kindness} 2 not usual; strange {an unaccustomed action}
unadvised (ûn'эd vaizd´) •adj. 1 without counsel or advice 2 thoughtlessly hasty; indiscreet; rash un'ad·vis´ed·ly (-vaiz´id li:) •adv. un'ad·vis´ed·ness •n.
unaffected (-э fek´tid) •adj. 1 not changed, affected, or influenced 2 without affectation; simple; sincere; natural un'af·fect´ed·ly •adv. un'af·fect´ed·ness •n.
Unalaska (u:'nэ læs´kэ, ûn'э-) island of Alas., in the E Aleutians: c. 75 mi. (120 km) long [Russ Unalashka < Aleut (n)aw(a)n alaxsxa(x), lit., this Alaska]
un-American (ûn'э mer´э kэn) •adj. not American; regarded as not characteristically or properly American; esp., regarded as opposed or dangerous to the U.S., its institutions, principles, etc. un'-A·mer´i·can·ism' •n.
Unamuno (u:'nä mu:´nou), Mi·guel de (mi: gel´ ðe) 1864-1936; Sp. philosopher & writer
unanimous (yu: næn´э mэs) •adj. 1 agreeing completely; united in opinion 2 showing, or based on, complete agreement u·na·nim·i·ty (yu:'nэ nim´э ti:) •n. u·nan´i·mous·ly •adv. [L unanimus, unanimis < unus, ONE + animus, the mind (see ANIMAL)]
unanswered (ûn æn´sэrd) •adj. 1 not answered; not responded to or refuted {an unanswered letter, an unanswered argument} 2 with no scoring in return by an opponent {sixteen unanswered points}
unapproachable (ûn'э prouch´э bэl) •adj. 1 not to be approached; inaccessible; aloof 2 having no rival or equal; unmatched un'ap·proach'a·bil´i·ty or un'ap·proach´a·ble·ness •n. un'ap·proach´a·bly •adv.
unappropriated (-prou´pri: eit'id) •adj. not appropriated; specif., a) not owned by or assigned to any particular person or agent b) not granted or set aside for any particular use or purpose (said of sums of money, etc.)
unapt (ûn æpt´) •adj. 1 not fitting or suitable 2 not likely or inclined 3 not quick or skillful, as in learning; dull un·apt´ly •adv. un·apt´ness •n.
unarm (-ärm´) •vt. DISARM
unarmed (-ärmd´) •adj. 1 having no weapons, esp. firearms, or armor; defenseless 2 lacking scales, claws, spines, thorns, etc.: said of plants or animals
unasked (-æskt´) •adj. 1 a) not asked or requested b) not asked for 2 not invited
unassailable (ûn'э seil´э bэl) •adj. not assailable; specif., a) that cannot be successfully attacked or assaulted b) that cannot be successfully denied un'as·sail´a·ble·ness or un'as·sail'a·bil´i·ty •n. un'as·sail´a·bly •adv.
unassuming (-э su:´miŋ, -syu:´-) •adj. not assuming, pretentious, or forward; modest; retiring un'as·sum´ing·ly •adv. un'as·sum´ing·ness •n.
unattached (-э tæcht´) •adj. 1 not attached or fastened 2 not connected with any particular group, institution, etc.; independent 3 not engaged or married 4 Law not taken or held as security for a judgment
unattended (-э ten´did) •adj. 1 not attended or waited on 2 unaccompanied (by or with) 3 neglected or ignored
unau (yu: nö´, u: nau´) •n. the two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni or C. didactylus) of South America [Fr < ?]
unavailing (ûn'э veil´iŋ) •adj. not availing; futile; ineffectual un'a·vail´ing·ly •adv.
unavoidable (-э void´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be avoided; inevitable 2 that cannot be voided or nullified un'a·void´a·ble·ness •n. un'a·void´a·bly •adv.
unaware (-э wer´) •adj. 1 not aware or conscious {unaware of danger} 2 [Rare] unwary •adv. UNAWARES un'a·ware´ness •n.
unawares (-э werz´) •adv. 1 without knowing or being aware; unintentionally 2 unexpectedly; suddenly; by surprise {to sneak up on someone unawares}
unbacked (ûn bækt´) •adj. 1 not broken to the saddle: said of a horse 2 not backed, supported, etc., esp. financially 3 without a back or backing 4 having no backers in betting
unbalance (-bæl´эns) -anced, -anc·ing •vt. 1 to disturb the balance or equilibrium of 2 to disturb the functioning of; derange (the mind) •n. the condition of being unbalanced; imbalance
unbalanced (-bæl´эnst) •adj. 1 not in balance or equilibrium 2 not equal as to debit and credit 3 a) mentally deranged b) erratic or unstable
unballasted (-bæl´эst id) •adj. not steadied by ballast; unsteady
unbar (-bär´) -barred´, -bar´ring •vt. to remove the bar or bars from; unbolt; unlock; open
unbated (-beit´id) •adj. 1 [Archaic] not abated or diminished 2 [Obs.] not blunted {unbated lance}
unbearable (-ber´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be endured or tolerated un·bear´a·ble·ness •n. un·bear´a·bly •adv.
unbeatable (-bi:t´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be defeated or surpassed
unbeaten (-bi:t´ªn) •adj. 1 not struck, pounded, etc. 2 untrodden or untraveled 3 undefeated or unsurpassed
unbecoming (ûn'bi: kûm´iŋ) •adj. not appropriate or suited to one's appearance, status, character, etc.; unattractive, indecorous, etc. SYN. IMPROPER un'be·com´ing·ly •adv.
unbeknown (-bi: noun´) •adj. unknown or unperceived; without one's knowledge: usually with to Also un'be·knownst´ (-nounst´)
unbelief (-bэ li:f´) •n. a withholding or lack of belief, esp. in religion or certain religious doctrines SYN.—unbelief implies merely a lack of belief, as because of insufficient evidence, esp. in matters of religion or faith; disbelief suggests a positive refusal to believe an assertion, theory, etc. because one is convinced of its falseness or unreliability; incredulity implies a general skepticism or disinclination to believe —ANT. belief, credulity [ME unbeleve]
unbelievable (-bэ li:v´э bэl) •adj. beyond belief; astounding; incredible un'be·liev´a·bly •adv.
unbeliever (-bэ li:´vэr) •n. 1 a person who does not believe; doubter 2 a person who does not accept any, or any particular, religious belief SYN. ATHEIST
unbelieving (-bэ li:´viŋ) •adj. not believing; doubting; skeptical; incredulous un'be·liev´ing·ly •adv.
unbend (ûn bend´) -bent´ or -bend´ed, -bend´ing •vt. 1 to release (a bow, etc.) from strain or tension 2 to relax (the mind) from strain or effort 3 to straighten (something bent or crooked) 4 Naut. a) to loosen or unfasten (a rope, sail, etc.) b) to untie (a rope) •vi. 1 to become straight or less bent 2 to become free from constraint, stiffness, or severity; relax and be less formal, more natural, etc. [ME unbenden: see UN- & BEND¹]
unbending (-ben´diŋ) •adj. not bending; specif., a) rigid; stiff b) firm; resolute c) aloof; austere •n. a relaxation of restraint, severity, etc. un·bend´ing·ly •adv. [< prec.]
unbiased or unbiassed (-bai´эst) •adj. without bias or prejudice; objective; impartial SYN. FAIR¹
unbidden (-bid´ªn) •adj. 1 not commanded 2 not invited; unasked, undesired, etc. Also un·bid´ [ME unbiden: see UN- & BID¹]
unbind (-baind´) -bound´, -bind´ing •vt. 1 to untie; unfasten 2 to free from bonds or restraints; release [ME unbinden < OE unbindan: see UN- & BIND]
unbitted (-bit´id) •adj. 1 having no bit or bridle on 2 unrestrained; uncontrolled
unblessed or unblest (-blest´) •adj. 1 not hallowed or consecrated 2 not given a blessing 3 accursed; wicked 4 wretched; unhappy
unblock (-bläk´) •vt. to remove a block from; free from being obstructed
unblooded (-blûd´id) •adj. 1 not thoroughbred 2 uninitiated: see BLOOD (vt. 2 & 3)
unblushing (-blûsh´iŋ) •adj. 1 not blushing 2 shameless un·blush´ing·ly •adv.
unbodied (-bäd´i:d) •adj. having no body or form; incorporeal, disembodied, formless, etc.
unbolt (-boult´) •vt., vi. to withdraw the bolt or bolts of (a door, etc.); unbar; open
unbolted¹ (-id) •adj. not fastened with a bolt
unbolted² (-id) •adj. not bolted or sifted, as flour
unbonnet (-bän´it) •vt., vi. to take the bonnet or head covering off; uncover un·bon´net·ed •adj.
unborn (-börn´) •adj. 1 not born or brought into being 2 still within the mother's uterus; not yet delivered 3 yet to come or be; future
unbosom (-buz´эm) •vt. to give vent to (feelings, secrets, etc.); tell; reveal •vi. to reveal what one feels, knows, etc. unbosom oneself to tell or reveal one's feelings, secrets, etc. [UN- + BOSOM]
unbound (-baund´) •vt. pt. & pp. of UNBIND •adj. 1 released from bonds, ties, or shackles 2 without a binding, as a book 3 not held in physical or chemical union with another element, substance, etc.; free {unbound electrons}
unbounded (-baun´did) •adj. 1 without bounds or limits; boundless 2 not restrained; uncontrolled
unbowed (-baud´) •adj. 1 not bowed or bent 2 not yielding or giving in; unsubdued
unbrace (-breis´) -braced´, -brac´ing •vt. 1 to free from braces or bands 2 to loosen; relax 3 to make feeble
unbred (-bred´) •adj. 1 [Archaic] ill-bred 2 untrained or uninstructed 3 not bred yet, as a filly
unbridle (-braid´ªl) -dled, -dling •vt. 1 to remove the bridle from (a horse, etc.) 2 to free from restraint
unbridled (-braid´ªld) •adj. 1 having no bridle on: said of a horse, etc. 2 unrestrained; uncontrolled
unbroken (-brou´kэn) •adj. not broken; specif., a) whole; intact b) not tamed or subdued c) continuous; uninterrupted d) not disordered or disorganized e) not plowed or spaded f) not surpassed {an unbroken record}
unbuckle (-bûk´эl) -led, -ling •vt. to unfasten the buckle or buckles of
unbuild (-bild´) -built´, -build´ing •vt. to tear down (something built); demolish; raze
unbuilt (-bilt´) •adj. not yet built (on)
unburden (-børd´ªn) •vt. 1 to free from a burden 2 to relieve (oneself or one's soul, mind, etc.) by revealing or disclosing (something hard to bear, as guilt)
unbutton (-bût´ªn) •vt. 1 to free (a button) from the buttonhole 2 to unfasten the button or buttons of (a garment, etc.) •vi. to unfasten buttons, as in disrobing
unbuttoned (-bût´ªnd) •adj. 1 with buttons unfastened 2 free and easy; casual; informal
uncalled-for (ûn köld´för') •adj. 1 not called for or required 2 unnecessary and out of place; impertinent
uncanny (ûn kæn´i:) •adj. 1 mysterious or unfamiliar, esp. in such a way as to frighten or make uneasy; preternaturally strange; eerie; weird 2 so remarkable, acute, etc. as to seem preternatural {uncanny shrewdness} SYN. WEIRD un·can´ni·ly •adv. un·can´ni·ness •n. [see UN- & CANNY]
uncap (-kæp´) -capped´, -cap´ping •vt. 1 to remove the cap from the head of (a person) 2 to remove the cap, or cover, from (a bottle, etc.)
uncared-for (ûn kerd´för') •adj. not cared for or looked after; neglected
uncaused (-közd´) •adj. not caused or created; self-existent
unceremonious (ûn'ser э mou´ni: эs) •adj. 1 less formal and ceremonious than is usual or expected; informal; familiar 2 so curt or abrupt as to be discourteous un'cer·e·mo´ni·ous·ly •adv. un'cer·e·mo´ni·ous·ness •n.
uncertain (ûn sørt´ªn) •adj. 1 a) not surely or certainly known; questionable; problematic b) not sure or certain in knowledge; doubtful 2 not definite or determined; vague 3 liable to vary or change; not dependable or reliable 4 not steady or constant; varying un·cer´tain·ly •adv. un·cer´tain·ness •n. [ME uncertayn]
uncertainty (-ti:) •n. 1 lack of certainty; doubt 2 pl. -ties something uncertain SYN.—uncertainty ranges in implication from a mere lack of absolute sureness [uncertainty about a date of birth] to such vagueness as to preclude anything more than guesswork [the uncertainty of the future]; doubt implies such a lack of conviction, as through absence of sufficient evidence, that there can be no certain opinion or decision [there is doubt about his guilt]; dubiety suggests uncertainty characterized by wavering between conclusions; dubiosity connotes uncertainty characterized by vagueness or confusion; skepticism implies an unwillingness to believe, often a habitual disposition to doubt, in the absence of absolute certainty or proof —ANT. conviction, assurance, certitude [ME uncerteynte]
uncertainty principle in quantum mechanics, the principle that it is impossible to measure simultaneously and exactly two related quantities, as both the position and momentum of an electron
unchancy (ûn chæn´si:, -chän´-) •adj. [Scot.] 1 unlucky; ill-fated 2 dangerous [UN- + CHANCY (sense 2)]
uncharged (-chärjd´) •adj. not charged; specif., a) not formally accused b) without an electrical charge
uncharitable (-chær´э tэ bэl) •adj. harsh or severe, as in judging or dealing with others; unforgiving, ungenerous, or censorious un·char´i·ta·ble·ness •n. un·char´i·ta·bly •adv.
uncharted (-chärt´id) •adj. not marked on a chart or map; unexplored or unknown
unchristian (-kris´chэn) •adj. 1 not having or practicing a Christian religion 2 not in accord with the principles of Christianity 3 [Colloq.] outrageous; dreadful
unchurch (-chørch´) •vt. 1 to deprive (a person) of membership in a given church 2 to deprive (an entire congregation or sect) of its rights as a church
unchurched (-chørcht´) •adj. 1 not belonging to or attending any church 2 not having a church
uncial (ûn´shi: эl, -shэl) •adj. designating or of a form of large, rounded letter used in the script of Greek and Latin manuscripts between A.D. 300 and 900 •n. 1 an uncial letter 2 an uncial manuscript 3 uncial script [L uncialis, of an inch, inch-high < uncia, a twelfth part, INCH¹]
unciform (ûn´si förm') •adj. 1 hook-shaped 2 Anat. a) designating or of a hook-shaped bone in the distal row of the wrist, on the same side as the ulna b) designating a hooked process on the unciform bone, or a similar process on the ethmoid bone •n. an unciform bone [ModL unciformis < L uncus, a hook (see UNCUS) + -formis, -FORM]
uncinariasis (ûn'si nэ rai´э sis) •n. HOOKWORM DISEASE [ModL, after Uncinaria, a genus, including the hookworm < L uncinus, a hook (see UNCIFORM) + -IASIS]
uncinate (ûn´si nit, -neit') •adj. bent like a hook; hooked [L uncinatus < uncinus, a hook < uncus: see UNCIFORM]
uncircumcised (ûn sør´kэm saizd') •adj. 1 not circumcised; specif., not Jewish; gentile 2 [Archaic] heathen
uncircumcision (ûn'sør kэm sizh´эn) •n. the condition of being uncircumcised the uncircumcision Bible the gentiles
uncivil (ûn siv´эl) •adj. 1 not civilized; barbarous 2 not civil or courteous; ill-mannered SYN. RUDE un·civ´il·ly •adv.
uncivilized (-siv´эl aizd') •adj. 1 not civilized; barbarous; unenlightened 2 far from civilization
unclad (-klæd´) •vt. alt. pt. & pp. of UNCLOTHE •adj. not clad; wearing no clothes; naked
unclasp (-klæsp´) •vt. 1 to unfasten the clasp of 2 to release from a clasp or grasp •vi. 1 to become unfastened 2 to relax the grasp
unclassified (-klæs´i faid') •adj. 1 not classified; not put in a category 2 not under security classification; not secret or restricted
uncle (ûŋ´kэl) •n. 1 the brother of one's father or mother 2 the husband of one's aunt 3 [Colloq.] any elderly man: a term of address 4 [Old Slang] a pawnbroker Æ say (or cry) uncle to surrender or admit defeat [OFr < L avunculus, one's mother's brother, dim. of *avo < IE *awos-, maternal grandfather > OE eam, OHG oheim, uncle, L avus, grandfather]
Uncle Sam [Colloq.] the U.S. (government or people), personified as a tall, spare man with chin whiskers, dressed in a red, white, and blue costume of swallow-tailed coat, striped trousers, and tall hat with a band of stars [extended < abbrev. U.S.]
Uncle Tom [Colloq.] a black whose behavior toward whites is regarded as fawning or servile: a term of contempt Uncle Tom´ism' [after the main character, an elderly black slave, in Harriet Beecher Stowe's antislavery novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852)]
unclean (ûn kli:n´) •adj. 1 dirty; filthy; foul 2 ceremonially impure 3 morally impure; unchaste, obscene, or vile un·clean´ness •n. [ME unclene < OE unclæne: see UN- + CLEAN]
uncleanly¹ (-klen´li:) •adj. not cleanly; unclean; dirty un·clean´li·ness •n. [see UN- & CLEANLY¹]
uncleanly² (-kli:n´li:) •adv. in an unclean manner
unclench (-klench´) •vt., vi. to open: said of something clenched, or clinched Also un·clinch´ (-klinch´)
uncloak (ûn klouk´) •vt., vi. 1 to remove a cloak or other covering (from) 2 to reveal; expose
unclose (-klouz´) -closed´, -clos´ing •vt., vi. 1 to make or become no longer closed; open 2 to disclose or reveal [ME unclosen: see UN- + CLOSE²]
unclothe (-klouð´) -clothed´ or -clad´, -cloth´ing •vt. to strip of or as of clothes; uncover; divest [ME unclothen]
unco (ûŋ´kou) •adj. [Scot.] 1 unknown; strange 2 weird; uncanny 3 notable; remarkable •adv. [Scot.] remarkably; extremely; very •n. pl. -cos [Scot.] 1 a strange person or thing 2 [pl.] news [ME unkow, contr. < uncouth, UNCOUTH]
uncoil (ûn koil´) •vt., vi. to unwind or release from being coiled [UN- + COIL¹]
uncomfortable (-kûm´fэrt э bэl) •adj. 1 not comfortable; feeling discomfort 2 not pleasant or agreeable; causing discomfort 3 ill at ease un·com´fort·a·ble·ness •n. un·com´fort·a·bly •adv.
uncommercial (ûn'kэ mør´shэl) •adj. 1 of or concerned with things other than trade or commerce 2 not in accordance with the principles or methods of commerce 3 not commercially profitable
uncommitted (-kэ mit´id) •adj. 1 not committed or carried out, as a crime 2 a) not bound or pledged, as to certain principles b) not having taken a position; neutral 3 not imprisoned 4 not committed to a mental hospital
uncommon (ûn käm´эn) •adj. 1 rare; not common or usual 2 strange; remarkable; extraordinary un·com´mon·ly •adv. un·com´mon·ness •n.
uncommunicative (ûn'kэ myu:n´i keit'iv, -i kэ tiv) •adj. not communicative; tending to withhold information, opinions, feelings, etc.; reserved; taciturn un'com·mu´ni·ca'tive·ly •adv. un'com·mu´ni·ca'tive·ness •n.
uncompromising (ûn käm´prэ mai'ziŋ) •adj. not compromising or yielding; firm; inflexible; determined
unconcern (ûn'kэn sørn´) •n. 1 lack of interest; apathy; indifference 2 lack of concern, or worry
unconcerned (-kэn sørnd´) •adj. not concerned; specif., a) not interested; indifferent b) not solicitous or anxious SYN. INDIFFERENT un'con·cern´ed·ly (-sør´nid li:) •adv. un'con·cern´ed·ness •n.
unconditional (-kэn dish´эn эl) •adj. without conditions or reservations; absolute un'con·di´tion·al·ly •adv.
unconditioned (-kэn dish´эnd) •adj. 1 UNCONDITIONAL 2 Philos. infinite; absolute 3 Psychol. not acquired by conditioning; natural; inborn {an unconditioned reflex}
unconformable (-kэn förm´э bэl) •adj. 1 not conformable or conforming 2 Geol. showing unconformity un'con·form´a·bly •adv.
unconformity (-kэn förm´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 a lack of conformity; inconsistency; incongruity 2 Geol. a) a break in the continuity of rock strata in contact, separating younger from older rocks and usually resulting from erosion of the surface of the older bed before the younger bed was laid down b) the surface of contact between such strata
unconnected (-kэ nekt´id) •adj. 1 not connected; separate 2 disconnected; incoherent
unconscionable (ûn kän´shэn э bэl) •adj. 1 not guided or restrained by conscience; unscrupulous 2 unreasonable, excessive, or immoderate 3 not fair or just; outrageous {unconscionable demands} un·con´scion·a·bly •adv.
unconscious (-kän´shэs) •adj. 1 a) not endowed with consciousness; mindless b) temporarily deprived of consciousness {unconscious from a blow on the head} 2 not aware (of) {unconscious of his mistake} 3 not known, realized, or intended; not done, said, etc. on purpose {an unconscious habit, unconscious humor} 4 not aware of one's own existence; not conscious of self 5 having to do with those of one's mental processes that one is unable to bring into one's consciousness the unconscious Psychoanalysis the sum of all thoughts, memories, impulses, desires, feelings, etc. of which the individual is not conscious but which influence the emotions and behavior; that part of one's psyche which comprises repressed material of this nature un·con´scious·ly •adv. un·con´scious·ness •n.
unconsidered (ûn'kэn sid´эrd) •adj. 1 not considered; not taken into account 2 done without consideration; not based upon careful reflection {a hasty, unconsidered remark}
unconstitutional (-kän stэ tu:´shэn эl) •adj. not in accordance with or permitted by a constitution, specif. the U.S. Constitution; not constitutional Æ un'con·sti·tu'tion·al´i·ty (-shэ næl´э ti:) •n. un'con·sti·tu´tion·al·ly •adv.
unconventional (ûn'kэn ven´shэn эl) •adj. not conventional; not conforming to customary, formal, or accepted practices, standards, rules, etc. un'con·ven'tion·al´i·ty (-shэ næl´э ti:) •n. un'con·ven´tion·al·ly •adv.
uncork (ûn körk´) •vt. 1 to pull the cork out of 2 [Colloq.] to let out, let loose, release, etc.
uncounted (-kaunt´id) •adj. 1 not counted 2 inconceivably numerous; innumerable
uncouple (-kûp´эl) -pled, -pling •vt. 1 to release (dogs) from being leashed together in couples 2 to unfasten (things coupled); disconnect •vi. to become unfastened
uncouth (-ku:θ´) •adj. 1 [Archaic] not known or familiar; strange 2 awkward; clumsy; ungainly 3 uncultured; crude; boorish un·couth´ly •adv. un·couth´ness •n. [ME < OE uncuth, unknown < un-, not + cuth, pp. of cunnan, to know: see CAN¹]
uncovenanted (-kûv´э nэnt id) •adj. 1 not promised, secured, or sanctioned by a covenant 2 not bound by or committed to the terms of a covenant
uncover (-kûv´эr) •vt. 1 to make known; disclose; reveal 2 to lay bare or open by removing a covering 3 to remove the cover or protection from 4 to remove the hat, cap, etc. from (the head), as a conventional gesture of respect •vi. 1 to bare the head, as in respect 2 to remove a cover or coverings
uncovered (-kûv´эrd) •adj. 1 having no covering; exposed 2 not covered or protected by insurance, collateral, etc. 3 wearing no hat, cap, etc.
uncreated (ûn'kri: eit´id) •adj. 1 not yet created; not existing 2 Theol. existing eternally
uncritical (ûn krit´i kэl) •adj. 1 not critical; undiscriminating {an uncritical reader} 2 not guided by critical standards of analysis {an uncritical acceptance of radical ideas} un·crit´i·cal·ly •adv.
uncross (ûn krös´) •vt. to change back from a crossed position {to uncross one's legs}
uncrowned (-kraund´) •adj. 1 not crowned; not officially installed as a ruler by a coronation ceremony 2 ruling without the title of king, queen, etc.
unction (ûŋk´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act of anointing, as in medical treatment or a religious ceremony b) the oil, ointment, etc. used for this 2 anything that soothes or comforts 3 a) a fervent or earnest quality or manner of speaking or behaving, esp. in dealing with religious matters b) pretended or affected fervor or earnestness in speech or manner; unctuous quality [ME unccioun < L unctio < ungere, to anoint: see UNGUENT]
unctuous (ûŋk´chu: эs) •adj. 1 a) of, like, or characteristic of an ointment or unguent; oily or greasy b) made up of or containing fat or oil 2 like oil, soap, or grease to the touch: said of certain minerals 3 soft and rich: said of soil 4 plastic; moldable 5 characterized by a smug, smooth pretense of spiritual feeling, fervor, or earnestness, as in seeking to persuade; too suave or oily in speech or manner unc'tu·os´i·ty (-äs´э ti:) or unc´tu·ous·ness •n. unc´tu·ous·ly •adv. [ME < ML unctuosus, greasy < L unctum, ointment < ungere, to anoint: see UNGUENT]
uncurl (ûn kørl´) •vt. to straighten (something curled)
uncus (ûŋ´kэs) pl. un·ci (ûn´sai') •n. Anat. a hooked process [ModL < L, a hook < IE base *ank- > ANGLE¹]
uncut (ûn kût´) •adj. not cut; specif., a) not trimmed b) having untrimmed margins or not slit apart at the edges (said of the pages of a book or the book) c) not ground to shape (said of a gem) d) not abridged or shortened
undamped (-dæmpt´) •adj. not damped; specif., a) not disheartened or discouraged b) Elec. not decreasing in amplitude
undaunted (-dönt´id) •adj. not daunted; not faltering or hesitating because of fear or discouragement; undismayed; intrepid un·daunt´ed·ly •adv.
undeceive (ûn'di: si:v´) -ceived´, -ceiv´ing •vt. to cause to be no longer deceived, mistaken, or misled
undecided (-di: said´id) •adj. 1 that is not decided or settled 2 not having come to a decision; irresolute un'de·cid´ed·ly •adv. un'de·cid´ed·ness •n.
undecylenic acid (ûn'des э len´ik, -li:n´-) a light-colored liquid or crystalline mass, C11H20O2, used in treating fungus infections of the skin, in making perfumes, etc. [< undecylene, C11H22 (< L undecim, eleven < base of unus, ONE + decem, TEN + -YL + -ENE) + -IC]
undemonstrative (ûn'di män´strэ tiv) •adj. not demonstrative; giving little outward expression of feeling; restrained; reserved un'de·mon´stra·tive·ly •adv. un'de·mon´stra·tive·ness •n.
undeniable (-di nai´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be denied; indisputable 2 unquestionably good or excellent un'de·ni´a·bly •adv.
under (ûn´dэr) •prep. 1 in, at, or to a position down from; lower than; below {shoes under the bed} 2 beneath the surface of {under water} 3 below and to the other side of {to drive under a bridge} 4 covered, surmounted, enveloped, or concealed by {to wear a vest under a coat} 5 a) lower in authority, position, power, etc. than b) lower in value, amount, etc. than; less than c) lower than the required or standard degree of {under age} 6 in a position or condition regarded as lower or inferior or implying subordination; specif., a) subject to the control, limitations, government, direction, instruction, or influence of {under orders from the President, under oath} b) burdened, oppressed, or distressed by {under a strain} c) subjected to; undergoing {under an anesthetic, under repair} 7 with the character, pretext, disguise, or cover of {under an alias} 8 in or included in (the designated category, division, class, etc.) {spiders are classified under arachnids} 9 during the rule of {literature flourished under Elizabeth I} 10 being the subject of {the question under discussion} 11 having regard for; because of {under the circumstances} 12 authorized or attested by {under one's signature} 13 planted with; sowed with {an acre under corn} •adv. 1 in or to a position below something; beneath 2 beneath the surface, as of water 3 in or to a condition that is subordinate 4 so as to be covered or concealed 5 less in amount, value, etc.; not so much {costing two dollars or under} •adj. lower in position, authority, rank, amount, degree, etc. [ME < OE, akin to Ger unter < IE *ndhos, *ndheri, under > L infra, below]
under- (ûn´dэr) prefix 1 in, on, to, or from a lower place or side; beneath or below {undertow} 2 in an inferior or subordinate position or rank {underling} 3 too little, not enough, below normal or standard {underdeveloped} The list below includes some common compounds formed with under- that can be understood if too little or insufficiently is added to the meaning of the base word underactive underorganized underbake underpopulated undercolored underpowered underconsumption underpraise undercook underprice underdose underripe undereducated underspend underemphasize undersubscribe underexercise undersupply undermanned undertrained [ME < OE: see UNDER]
underachieve (ûn'dэr э chi:v´) -chieved´, -chiev´ing •vi. 1 to fail to do as well in school studies as might be expected from scores made on intelligence tests 2 to perform below expectations un'der·a·chieve´ment •n. un'der·a·chiev´er •n.
underact (-ækt´) •vt., vi. 1 to act (a theatrical role) with insufficient emphasis or too great restraint 2 UNDERPLAY (sense 1)
underage¹ (-eij´) •adj. 1 not of full or mature age 2 below the age required by law
underage² (ûn´dэr ij) •n. a shortage; insufficiency [UNDER- + -AGE]
underarm (ûn´dэr ärm') •adj. 1 of, for, in, or used on the area under the arm, or the armpit 2 UNDERHAND (sense 1) •adv. UNDERHAND (sense 1)
underarmed (ûn'dэr ärmd´) •adj. not sufficiently armed; not provided with enough weapons
underbelly (ûn´dэr bel'i:) •n. 1 the lower, posterior part of an animal's belly 2 any vulnerable or unprotected area, region, point, etc.
underbid (ûn'dэr bid´; for n. ûn´dэr bid') -bid´, -bid´ding •vt., vi. 1 to bid lower than (another person) 2 to bid less than the worth of (a thing, as one's hand in bridge) •n. a lower or inadequate bid
underbody (ûn´dэr bäd'i:) •n. 1 the underpart of an animal's body 2 the underside of a vehicle
underbred (ûn'dэr bred´) •adj. 1 lacking good manners; ill-bred 2 not of pure breed
underbrush (ûn´dэr brûsh') •n. small trees, shrubs, etc. that grow beneath large trees in woods or forests
underbuy (ûn'dэr bai´) -bought´, -buy´ing •vt., vi. 1 to buy at less than the real value or asking price 2 to buy more cheaply than (another or others) 3 to buy less of (something) than is needed
undercapitalize (-kæp´эtªl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt., vi. to provide (a business) with too little capital for successful operation un'der·cap'i·tal·i·za´tion •n.
undercarriage (ûn´dэr kær'ij) •n. 1 a supporting frame or structure, as of an automobile 2 the landing gear of an aircraft
undercharge (ûn'dэr chärj´; for n. ûn´dэr chärj') -charged´, -charg´ing •vt., vi. 1 to charge too low a price (to) 2 to provide (a gun, electric battery, etc.) with too little or too low a charge •n. an insufficient charge
underclass (ûn´dэr klæs') •n. the socioeconomic class with incomes below subsistence level, including esp. the underprivileged
underclassman (ûn'dэr klæs´mэn) pl. -men •n. a student in the freshman or sophomore class of a high school or college
underclay (ûn´dэr klei') •n. a bed of clay lying immediately beneath a coal seam, often used as a fireclay
underclothes (-klouðz', -klouz') •n.pl. UNDERWEAR Also un´der·cloth'ing (-klouð'iŋ)
undercoat (-kout') •n. 1 orig., a coat worn under another 2 an under layer of short hair in an animal's coat 3 a coating as of tarlike material applied to the exposed underside of a motor vehicle to deaden noise, retard rust, etc. 4 a coat of paint, varnish, etc. applied as a first coat or before the final coat Also (for 3 & 4) un´der·coat'ing •vt. to apply an undercoat to
undercool (ûn'dэr ku:l´) •vt., vi. SUPERCOOL
undercount (-kaunt´; for n. ûn´dэr kaunt') •vt. to get a total by counting that is smaller than the actual total of •n. the act or an instance of undercounting
undercover (-kûv´эr) •adj. acting or carried out in secret {undercover work as a spy}
undercroft (ûn´dэr kröft') •n. an underground room or vault, esp. beneath a church [ME < under- (see UNDER-) + croft, a vault < ML crupta < L crypta, CRYPT]
undercurrent (-kør'эnt) •n. 1 a current, as of water or air, flowing below another or beneath the surface 2 an underlying tendency, opinion, etc., usually one that is kept hidden and not expressed openly
undercut (ûn´dэr kût'; for v. ûn'dэr kût´) •n. 1 a) a cut made below another so as to leave an overhang or concave profile b) the part cut out in this way Æ 2 a notch cut in a tree below the level of the major cut and on the side to which the tree is to fall 3 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a tenderloin or fillet of beef 4 Sports the act or an instance of undercutting •adj. that is undercut •vt. -cut´, -cut´ting 1 to make an UNDERCUT (senses 1 & 2) in 2 to cut out the underpart of 3 to undersell or work for lower wages than 4 to weaken the position of; lessen the force or impact of; undermine 5 Sports to strike (a ball) with an oblique downward motion, as in golf, or to chop with an underhand stroke, as in tennis, esp. so as to impart backspin •vi. to undercut something or someone
underdevelop (ûn'dэr di vel´эp) •vt. 1 to develop to a point below what is needed 2 Photog. to develop (a film, plate, etc.) for too short a time or with too weak a developer
underdeveloped (-эpt) •adj. not developed to the proper or desirable degree; specif., so inadequately developed economically and industrially as to have a relatively low standard of living {underdeveloped nations}
underdo (-du:´) -did´, -done´, -do´ing •vt. to do less than is usual, needed, or desired
underdog (ûn´dэr dög') •n. 1 orig., the dog that is losing in a dogfight 2 a person or group that is losing, or is expected to lose, in a contest or struggle 3 a person who is handicapped or at a disadvantage because of injustice, discrimination, etc.
underdone (ûn'dэr dûn´) •adj. not cooked enough or thoroughly: said esp. of meat
underdrainage (ûn´dэr drein'ij) •n. drainage by an underground system of drains, as in agriculture
underdrawers (-drörz') •n. DRAWERS
underdress (ûn'dэr dres´) •vi. to dress more plainly or informally than is indicated by the occasion
underemployed (-em ploid´) •adj. 1 inadequately employed; esp., employed at less than full time so that, usually, one has a low standard of living 2 working at low-skilled, poorly paid jobs when one is trained for, or could be trained for, more skilled work the underemployed underemployed people un'der·em·ploy´ment •n.
underestimate (-es´tэ meit'; for n., -mit) -mat'ed, -mat'ing •vt. to set too low an estimate on or for •n. an estimate that is too low un'der·es'ti·ma´tion •n.
underexpose (ûn'dэr ek spouz´) -posed´, -pos´ing •vt. to expose (a photographic film, etc.) to inadequate light or for too short a time un'der·ex·po´sure (-spou´zhэr) •n.
underfeed (-fi:d´) -fed´, -feed´ing •vt. 1 to feed less than is needed 2 to stoke (a fire) from below
underfired (ûn´dэr faird') •adj. fired, or heated, from beneath, as a hot water tank
underfoot (ûn'dэr fut´) •adv., adj. 1 under the foot or feet {to trample flowers underfoot} Æ 2 in the way, as of one walking
underfur (ûn´dэr før') •n. the softer, finer fur under the outer coat of some animals, as beavers and seals
undergarment (-gär'mэnt) •n. a piece of underwear
undergird (ûn'dэr gørd´) -gird´ed or -girt´, -gird´ing •vt. 1 to gird, strengthen, or brace from the bottom side 2 to supply support or a strong basis for
underglaze (ûn´dэr gleiz') •adj. Ceramics designating colors, designs, etc. applied before the glaze is put on, as in painting porcelain •n. such colors, designs, etc.
undergo (ûn'dэr gou´) -went´, -gone´, -go´ing •vt. 1 to experience; endure; go through 2 [Obs.] to undertake
undergraduate (-græ´ju: it) •n. a student at a university or college who has not yet received the first, or bachelor's, degree •adj. 1 of, for, consisting of, or characteristic of undergraduates 2 having the status of an undergraduate
underground (ûn´dэr graund') •adj. 1 occurring, working, placed, used, etc. beneath the surface of the earth 2 secret; hidden; undercover 3 designating or of newspapers, movies, music, etc. that are unconventional, experimental, radical, etc. •adv. 1 beneath the surface of the earth 2 in or into secrecy or hiding; so as to be undercover; surreptitiously •n. 1 the entire region beneath the surface of the earth 2 an underground space or passage 3 a secret movement organized in a country to oppose or overthrow the government in power or enemy forces of occupation 4 an underground movement in media, films, music, etc. 5 [Brit., etc. (exc. Cdn.)] a subway
underground railroad Æ [often U- R-] in the U.S. before the Civil War, a system set up by certain opponents of slavery to help fugitive slaves escape to Free States and Canada
undergrown (ûn'dэr groun´) •adj. 1 not grown to full or normal size or development 2 having undergrowth
undergrowth (ûn´dэr grouθ') •n. 1 UNDERBRUSH 2 an animal's undercoat 3 the state of being undergrown
underhand (-hænd') •adj. 1 performed with the hand below the level of the elbow or the arm below the level of the shoulder {an underhand throw} 2 UNDERHANDED (sense 1) •adv. 1 with an underhand motion 2 not openly or straightforwardly
underhanded (ûn'dэr hæn´did) •adj. 1 not open or straightforward; secret, sly, deceitful, etc. 2 SHORT-HANDED SYN. SECRET un'der·hand´ed·ly •adv. un'der·hand´ed·ness •n.
underhung (-hûŋ´) •adj. 1 a) projecting beyond the upper jaw (said of the lower jaw) b) having such a lower jaw 2 UNDERSLUNG 3 resting or moving on a track or rail beneath, as some sliding doors
underjaw (ûn´dэr jö') •n. the lower jaw; mandible
underlaid (ûn'dэr leid´) •adj. 1 laid or placed underneath 2 having an underlay or underlying layer, support, etc.
underlap (-læp´) -lapped´, -lap´ping •vt. to lie or extend partly under (something)
underlay¹ (ûn'dэr lei´; for n. ûn´dэr lei') -laid´, -lay´ing •vt. 1 to cover, line, or extend over the bottom of {the leather is underlaid with felt} 2 to lay (something) under something else, esp. as a support, wedge, etc. 3 to raise or support with something laid underneath {trusses underlay the roof} 4 Printing to provide with an underlay •n. 1 something laid underneath 2 Printing a patch or patches of paper laid under type, cuts, etc. to raise the level of the face [ME underlein < OE underlecgan]
underlay² (ûn'dэr lei´) •vt. pt. of UNDERLIE
underlet (-let´) -let´, -let´ting •vt. 1 to let at a price below the real value 2 SUBLET
underlie (-lai´) -lay´, -lain´, -ly´ing •vt. 1 to lie under or beneath 2 to be the basis for; form the foundation of 3 Finance to have priority over (another) in order of claim, as a bond [ME underlien < OE underlicgan]
underline (ûn´dэr lain'; also, for v., ûn'dэr lain´) -lined', -lin'ing •vt. 1 to draw a line beneath; underscore 2 to stress or emphasize •n. a line underneath, as an underscore
underling (ûn´dэr liŋ) •n. a person in a subordinate position; inferior: usually contemptuous or disparaging [ME < OE: see UNDER- & -LING¹]
underlining (-lain'iŋ) •n. a garment lining formed of pieces cut to the shape of and attached to the separate sections of a garment, which are then sewed together
underlip (-lip') •n. the lower lip
underlying (-lai'iŋ) •adj. 1 lying under; placed beneath 2 fundamental; basic {the underlying cause} 3 really there but not easily seen or noticed {an underlying trend} 4 Finance having priority, as a claim
undermine (ûn'dэr main´, ûn´dэr main') -mined´, -min´ing •vt. 1 to dig beneath; excavate ground from under, so as to form a tunnel or mine 2 to wear away and weaken the supports of {erosion is undermining the wall} 3 to injure, weaken, or impair, esp. by subtle, stealthy, or insidious means SYN. WEAKEN
undermost (ûn´dэr moust') •adj., adv. lowest in place, position, rank, etc.
underneath (ûn'dэr ni:θ´) •adv. 1 under; below; beneath 2 on the underside; at a lower level •prep. 1 under; below; beneath 2 under the form, guise, or authority of •adj. under or lower •n. the underpart; bottom side [ME undernethe < OE underneothan < under, UNDER + neothan, below; akin to neothera, NETHER]
undernourish (ûn'dэr nør´ish) •vt. to give insufficient nourishment to; provide with less food than is needed for health and growth un'der·nour´ish·ment •n.
underpants (ûn´dэr pænts') •n.pl. an undergarment, long or short, for the lower part of the body, with a separate opening for each leg
underpart (ûn´dэr pärt') •n. 1 the lower part or side, as of an animal's body or an airplane's fuselage 2 a secondary or subsidiary position or part
underpass (-pæs') •n. a passage, road, etc. running under something; esp., a passageway for vehicles or pedestrians that runs under a railway or highway
underpay (ûn'dэr pei´) -paid´, -pay´ing •vt., vi. 1 to pay too little, or less than (the due amount) 2 to pay too little to (someone) un´der·pay'ment •n.
underpin (-pin´) -pinned´, -pin´ning •vt. 1 to support or strengthen from beneath, as with props 2 to support or strengthen in any way; corroborate, substantiate, etc.
underpinning (ûn´dэr pin'iŋ) •n. 1 a supporting structure or foundation, esp. one placed beneath a wall 2 a support or prop Æ 3 [pl.] [Colloq.] the legs
underplay (ûn'dэr plei´) •vt., vi. 1 to act (a role or scene) in a manner intended to be subtle and restrained 2 UNDERACT 3 to play down the importance of (something)
underplot (ûn´dэr plät') •n. a secondary or subordinate plot in a story, play, etc.
underprivileged (ûn'dэr priv´эl ijd) •adj. deprived of fundamental social rights and security through poverty, discrimination, etc. the underprivileged those who are underprivileged
underproduce (-prэ du:s´) -duced´, -duc´ing •vt., vi. to produce in a quantity insufficient to meet the need or demand un'der·pro·duc´tion •n.
underproof (-pru:f´) •adj. containing less alcohol than proof spirit does
underprop (-präp´) -propped´, -prop´ping •vt. to prop underneath; support
underquote (-kwout´) -quot´ed, -quot´ing •vt. 1 to quote (goods) at a price lower than another price or than the market price 2 to quote a lower price than (other sellers)
underrate (-reit´) -rat´ed, -rat´ing •vt. to rate, assess, or estimate too low
underreport (-ri port´) •vt. to report fewer than the actual number or less than the true amount of
underrepresent (-rep'ri zent´) •vt. to represent in numbers that are fewer, or in a proportion that is less, than accurate or true un'der·rep're·sen·ta´tion •n.
underrun (-rûn´) -ran´, -run´, -run´ning •vt. to run, go, or pass under •n. something running or passing underneath, as an undercurrent
underscore (ûn'dэr skör´; for n. ûn´dэr skör') -scored´, -scor´ing •vt. UNDERLINE •n. a line drawn under a word, passage, etc., as for emphasis
undersea (-si:´) •adj., adv. beneath the surface of the sea Also un'der·seas´ (-si:z´) •adv.
undersecretary (-sek´rэ ter'i:) pl. -tar'ies an assistant secretary: in U.S. government, under secretary •n.
undersell (ûn'dэr sel´) -sold´, -sell´ing •vt. 1 to sell at a lower price than (another seller) Æ 2 to promote, try to persuade, etc. in a restrained or inadequate manner
underset (ûn´dэr set') •n. an ocean undercurrent
undersexed (ûn'dэr sekst´) •adj. characterized by a weaker than normal sexual drive or interest
undersheriff (ûn´dэr sher'if) •n. a deputy sheriff
undershirt (-shørt') •n. a collarless, usually sleeveless undergarment worn under an outer shirt
undershoot (ûn'dэr shu:t´) -shot´, -shoot´ing •vt. 1 to shoot or fall short of (a target, mark, etc.) 2 to bring an aircraft down short of (the runway, landing field, etc.) while trying to land •vi. to shoot or go short of the mark
undershorts (ûn´dэr shörts') •n.pl. short underpants worn by men and boys
undershot (-shät') •adj. 1 with the lower part or half extending past the upper {an undershot jaw} 2 driven by water flowing along the lower part {an undershot water wheel}: see WATER WHEEL, illus.
undershrub (-shrûb') •n. any low-growing, woody, bushy plant, as a subshrub
underside (-said') •n. the side or surface that is underneath
undersign (ûn'dэr sain´) •vt. to sign one's name at the end of (a letter, document, etc.)
undersigned (ûn´dэr saind') •adj. 1 signed at the end 2 whose name or names are signed at the end the undersigned the person whose name or persons whose names are signed at the end
undersized (-saizd') •adj. smaller in size than is usual, average, or proper Also un´der·size' (-saiz')
underskirt (-skørt') •n. a skirt worn under another; petticoat
underslung (-slûŋ') •adj. 1 having springs attached to the underside of the axles: said of an automobile frame 2 projecting: said of the lower jaw
undersoil (-soil') •n. SUBSOIL
undersong (-söŋ') •n. [Archaic] a song or refrain sung as accompaniment to another song
understaffed (ûn'dэr stæft´) •adj. having too small a staff; having insufficient personnel
understand (ûn'dэr stænd´) -stood´, -stand´ing •vt. 1 to get or perceive the meaning of; know or grasp what is meant by; comprehend {to understand a question} 2 to gather or assume from what is heard, known, etc.; infer {are we to understand that you want to go?} 3 to take as meant or meaning; interpret {to understand his silence as refusal} 4 to take for granted or as a fact {it is understood that no one is to leave} 5 to supply mentally (an idea, word, etc.), as for grammatical completeness 6 to get as information; learn 7 to know thoroughly; grasp or perceive clearly and fully the nature, character, functioning, etc. of 8 to have a sympathetic rapport with {no one understands me} •vi. 1 to have understanding, comprehension, sympathetic awareness, etc., either in general or with reference to something specific 2 to be informed; believe {he is, I understand, no longer here} un'der·stand´a·ble •adj. un'der·stand´a·bly •adv. SYN.—understand and comprehend are used interchangeably to imply clear perception of the meaning of something, but, more precisely, understand stresses the full awareness or knowledge arrived at, and comprehend, the process of grasping something mentally [one may comprehend the words in an idiom without understanding at all what is meant]; appreciate implies sensitive, discriminating perception of the exact worth or value of something [to appreciate the difficulties of a situation] [ME understanden < OE understandan, lit., to stand among, hence observe, understand]
understanding (-iŋ) •n. 1 the mental quality, act, or state of a person who understands; comprehension, knowledge, discernment, sympathetic awareness, etc. 2 the power or ability to think, learn, judge, etc.; intelligence; sense 3 a specific interpretation or inference {one's understanding of a matter} 4 a) mutual comprehension, as of ideas, intentions, etc. b) a mutual agreement, esp. one that settles differences or is informal and not made public •adj. that understands; having or characterized by comprehension, sympathy, etc. un'der·stand´ing·ly •adv.
understate (ûn'dэr steit´) -stat´ed, -stat´ing •vt. 1 to make a weaker statement of than is warranted by truth, accuracy, or importance; state too weakly 2 to state, express, etc. in a style that is restrained and often makes use of irony or litotes un'der·state´ment •n.
understated (-id) •adj. restrained, subtle, modest, etc. {an understated color scheme}
understood (-stud´) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of UNDERSTAND •adj. 1 known; comprehended 2 agreed upon 3 implied but not expressed
understory (ûn´dэr stör'i:) •n. the smaller trees, saplings, and, sometimes, shrubs that grow beneath the large trees in woods or forests [UNDER + STORY²]
understrapper (ûn´dэr stræp'эr) •n. a subordinate or underling [UNDER- + STRAPPER]
understudy (-stûd'i:) pl. -stud'ies •n. 1 an actor who learns the part of another actor so as to serve as a substitute when necessary 2 any person who learns the duties of another so as to serve as a substitute •vt., vi. -stud'ied, -stud'y·ing 1 to act as an understudy (to) 2 to learn (a part) as an understudy
undersurface (-sør'fis) •n. UNDERSIDE
undertake (ûn'dэr teik´) -took´, -tak´en, -tak´ing •vt. 1 to take upon oneself; agree to do; enter into or upon (a task, journey, etc.) 2 to give a promise or pledge that; contract {he undertook to be their guide} 3 to promise; guarantee 4 to make oneself responsible for; take over as a charge •vi. 1 [Archaic] to take on responsibility, pledge oneself, guarantee, or be surety (for) Æ 2 [Old Colloq.] to work as an UNDERTAKER (sense 2) [ME undertaken: see UNDER- & TAKE]
undertaker (ûn'dэr tei´kэr; for 2 ûn´dэr tei'kэr) •n. 1 a person who undertakes something 2 FUNERAL DIRECTOR: a somewhat old-fashioned usage
undertaking (ûn'dэr tei´kiŋ; also, & for 3 always, ûn´dэr tei'kiŋ) •n. 1 something undertaken; task; charge; enterprise 2 a promise; guarantee 3 the business of an UNDERTAKER (sense 2) 4 the act of one who undertakes some task, responsibility, etc.
under-the-counter (ûn´dэr ðэ kaun´tэr) •adj. [Colloq.] done, sold, given, etc. secretly in an unlawful or unethical way Also un´der-the-ta´ble
underthings (ûn´dэr θiŋz') •n.pl. women's or girls' underwear
undertint (-tint') •n. a faint or subdued tint
undertone (-toun') •n. 1 a low tone of sound or voice 2 a faint or subdued color, esp. one seen through other colors, as in some glazes 3 a) any underlying quality, factor, element, etc. {an undertone of horror} b) Finance the underlying tendency of a market
undertook (ûn'dэr tuk´) •vt., vi. pt. of UNDERTAKE
undertow (ûn´dэr tou') •n. a current of water moving beneath and in a different direction from that of the surface water: said esp. of a seaward current beneath breaking surf [UNDER- + TOW¹]
undertrick (-trik') •n. Bridge any of the tricks by which one falls short of making one's contract
underutilize (ûn'dэr yu:t´ªl aiz') -lized', -liz'ing •vt. to utilize too little or inefficiently un'der·u'ti·li·za´tion •n.
undervalue (-væl´yu:) -ued, -u·ing •vt. 1 to value below the real worth 2 to regard or esteem too lightly un'der·val'u·a´tion •n.
undervest (ûn´dэr vest') •n. [Brit.] UNDERSHIRT
underwater (ûn´dэr wöt´эr) •adj. 1 being, placed, done, etc. beneath the surface of the water 2 used or for use under water 3 below the waterline of a ship •adv. beneath the surface of the water
underway (ûn´dэr wei´) •adj. 1 moving; advancing; making progress 2 Naut. not at anchor or moored or aground
underwear (ûn´dэr wer') •n. clothing worn under one's outer clothes, usually next to the skin, as undershirts, undershorts, or slips
underweight (ûn´dэr weit'; also, for adj., ûn'dэr weit´) •adj. below the normal, desirable, or allowed weight •n. less weight than is needed, desired, or allowed
underwent (ûn'dэr went´) •vt. pt. of UNDERGO
underwhelm (-hwelm´, -welm´) •vt. to fail to make a good impression or have a significant impact on [ironic allusion to OVERWHELM]
underwing (ûn´dэr wiŋ') •n. 1 either of the pair of hind wings of an insect 2 any of various noctuid moths (esp. genus Catocala) having brightly colored hind wings that are hidden under drab forewings except during flight
underwood (ûn´dэr wud') •n. UNDERBRUSH
underworld (-wørld') •n. 1 [Archaic] the earth 2 the mythical world of the dead; Hades 3 the opposite side of the earth; antipodes 4 the criminal members of society, or people living by vice or crime, regarded as a group or class
underwrite (ûn´dэr rait´) -wrote´, -writ´ten, -writ´ing •vt. 1 [Archaic] to write under something, esp. under something written; subscribe 2 to agree to buy (an issue of stocks, bonds, etc.) on a given date and at a fixed price, or to guarantee the purchase of (stocks or bonds to be made available to the public for subscription) 3 to subscribe or agree to, as by signature 4 to agree to pay for the cost of or pledge to cover the financial losses of (an undertaking, etc.) 5 Insurance a) to write one's signature at the end of (an insurance policy), thus assuming liability in the event of specified loss or damage b) to insure c) to assume liability to the amount of (a specified sum) •vi. 1 to underwrite something 2 to be in business as an underwriter [ME underwriten, orig. used as transl. of L subscribere: see SUBSCRIBE]
underwriter (-rait'эr) •n. 1 a person who underwrites, or finances something 2 a person who underwrites issues of stocks, bonds, etc. 3 a) an employee of an insurance company who determines the acceptability of risks, the premiums that should be charged, etc. b) an agent who underwrites insurance
undesigning (ûn'di zai´niŋ) •adj. not designing; straightforward; honest; not crafty or underhanded
undesirable (-di zair´э bэl) •adj. not desirable or pleasing; objectionable •n. an undesirable person un'de·sir'a·bil´i·ty •n. un'de·sir´a·bly •adv.
undid (ûn did´) •vt. pt. of UNDO
undies (ûn´di:z') •n.pl. [Colloq.] women's or girls' underwear [dim. euphemistic abbrev.]
undine (ûn di:n´; ûn´di:n', -dain') •n. Folklore a female water spirit who can acquire a soul by marrying, and having a child by, a mortal [Ger < ModL Undina, coined by PARACELSUS for a water spirit in his alchemical system < L unda, a wave: see WATER]
undirected (ûn'di rek´tid) •adj. 1 not directed; not guided 2 not addressed, as a letter
undisposed (-dis pouzd´) •adj. 1 not disposed (of) 2 indisposed; unwilling
undissociated (-di sou´shi: eit'id, -si:-) •adj. Chem. not separated into ions, radicals, or simpler atoms or molecules
undo (ûn du:´) -did´, -done´, -do´ing •vt. 1 a) to release or untie (a fastening) b) to open (a parcel, door, etc.) by this means 2 to reverse the doing of (something accomplished); do away with; cancel; annul 3 to put an end to; bring to ruin, disgrace, or downfall 4 to upset emotionally; perturb 5 [Obs.] to interpret; explain un·do´er •n. [ME undon < OE < un-, UN- + don, to DO¹]
undocumented (ûn däk´yэ ment'id) •adj. Æ not having the proper document; specif., without a proper visa for U.S. residence {an undocumented alien, worker, etc.}
undoing (ûn du:´iŋ) •n. 1 the act of opening, untying, etc. 2 a reversal of the doing of something done or accomplished; canceling or annulling 3 the act of bringing to ruin, disgrace, or destruction 4 the cause or source of ruin, disgrace, or destruction
undone¹ (-dûn´) •vt. pp. of UNDO •adj. 1 ruined, disgraced, etc. 2 emotionally upset; greatly perturbed
undone² (-dûn´) •adj. not done; not performed, accomplished, completed, etc.
undouble (-dûb´эl) -bled, -bling •vt. to cause to be no longer doubled or double; unfold
undoubted (-daut´id) •adj. not doubted, called in question, or disputed; certain un·doubt´ed·ly •adv.
undraw (-drö´) -drew´, -drawn´, -draw´ing •vt., vi. to draw (a curtain, drapes, etc.) open, back, or aside
undreamed (-dri:md´) •adj. not even dreamed (of) or imagined; inconceivable Also un·dreamt´ (-dremt´)
undress (ûn dres´; for n., usually ûn´dres') •vt. 1 to take off the clothing of; strip 2 to divest of ornament 3 to remove the dressing from (a wound) •vi. to take off one's clothes; strip •n. 1 the state of being naked, only partly dressed, or in night clothes, a robe, etc. 2 ordinary or informal dress, as opposed to uniform, full dress, etc.
Undset (un´set'), Sig·rid (sig´rid) 1882-1949; Norw. novelist
undue (ûn du:´, -dyu:´) •adj. 1 not yet due or payable, as a debt 2 not appropriate or suitable; improper 3 excessive; immoderate
undulant (ûn´dyu: lэnt) •adj. moving in or as in waves; undulating
undulant fever a persistent form of brucellosis, transmitted to people from lower, esp. domestic, animals, or their products, and characterized by an undulating, or recurrent, fever, sweating, and pains in the joints
undulate (-leit'; for adj., usually, -lit) -lat'ed, -lat'ing •vt. 1 to cause to move in waves 2 to give a wavy form, margin, or surface to •vi. 1 to move in or as in waves; move sinuously 2 to have a wavy form, margin, or surface •adj. having a wavy form, margin, or surface; undulating: see LEAF, illus. Also un´du·lat'ed SYN. SWING [< L undulatus, undulated < *undula, dim. of unda, a wave: see WATER]
undulation (ûn'dyu: lei´shэn) •n. 1 a) the act of undulating b) an undulating motion, as of a snake 2 a wavy, curving form or outline, esp. one of a series 3 Physics wave motion, as of light or sound, or a wave or vibration
undulatory (ûn´dyu: lэ tör'i:) •adj. 1 of, caused by, or characterized by undulations 2 having a wavelike form or motion; undulating
unduly (ûn du:´li:, -dyu:´-) •adv. 1 improperly; unjustly 2 to an undue degree; excessively
undying (-dai´iŋ) •adj. not dying; immortal or eternal
unearned (-ørnd´) •adj. 1 not earned by work or service; specif., obtained as a return on an investment {unearned income} 2 not deserved; unmerited
unearned increment an increase in the value of land or other property through no work or expenditure by the owner, as through an increase in area population
unearth (-ørθ´) •vt. 1 to dig up from out of the earth 2 to bring to light as by searching; discover; disclose SYN. LEARN
unearthly (-ørθ´li:) •adj. 1 not, or as if not, of this earth 2 supernatural; ghostly 3 weird; mysterious 4 [Colloq.] fantastic, outlandish, absurd, etc. SYN. WEIRD un·earth´li·ness •n.
unease (ûn´i:z') •n. distress or discomfort
uneasy (-i:´zi:) -eas´i·er, -eas´i·est •adj. 1 having, showing, or allowing no ease of body or mind; uncomfortable 2 awkward; constrained 3 disturbed by anxiety or apprehension; restless; unsettled; perturbed un·eas´i·ness •n. un·eas´i·ly •adv.
unedited (-ed´it id) •adj. 1 not edited for publication 2 not assembled for presentation {an unedited film}
unemployable (ûn'em ploi´э bэl) •adj. not employable; specif., that cannot be employed because of severe physical or mental handicaps, outmoded skills, etc. •n. an unemployable person
unemployed (-ploid´) •adj. 1 not employed; without work 2 not being used; idle the unemployed people who are out of work
unemployment (-ploi´mэnt) •n. 1 the state of being unemployed; lack of employment 2 the number or percentage of persons in the normal labor force who are out of work
unemployment compensation payment, as by a State government from social security funds, of a certain amount of money to a qualified unemployed person, usually at regular intervals and over a fixed period of time
unequal (ûn i:´kwэl) •adj. 1 not equal, as in size, strength, ability, value, rank, number, amount, etc. 2 a) not balanced or symmetrical {an unequal pattern} b) that matches unequal contestants {an unequal battle} 3 not even, regular, or uniform; variable; fluctuating 4 not equal or adequate: with to {unequal to the task} 5 [Now Rare] not equitable; unjust; unfair •n. a person or thing not equal to another un·e´qual·ly •adv.
unequaled or unequalled (-i:´kwэld) •adj. not equaled; unmatched; unrivaled; supreme
unequivocal (ûn'i: kwiv´э kэl) •adj. not equivocal; not ambiguous; plain; clear un'e·quiv´o·cal·ly •adv.
unerring (ûn ør´iŋ; also, -er´-) •adj. 1 free from error 2 not missing or failing; certain; sure; exact un·err´ing·ly •adv.
UNESCO (yu: nes´kou) •n. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
unessential (ûn'э sen´shэl) •adj. not essential; that can be dispensed with •n. an unessential thing
uneven (ûn i:´vэn) •adj. not even; specif., a) not level, smooth, or flat; rough; irregular b) not straight or parallel c) unequal, as in length, thickness, etc. d) not uniform; varying; fluctuating e) not equally balanced or matched f) not equitable; unfair g) Math. odd; not evenly divisible by two un·e´ven·ly •adv. un·e´ven·ness •n. [ME < OE unefen]
uneventful (ûn'i: vent´fэl) •adj. with no outstanding or unusual event; peaceful, routine, etc. {an uneventful day} un'e·vent´ful·ly •adv.
unexampled (-eg zæm´pэld) •adj. having no precedent, parallel, or similar case; unprecedented
unexceptionable (-ek sep´shэn э bэl) •adj. not exceptionable; without flaw or fault; not warranting even the slightest criticism: sometimes used with mild pejorative force of something regarded as having mere correctness as its chief virtue un'ex·cep´tion·a·bly •adv.
unexceptional (-ek sep´shэn эl) •adj. 1 not exceptional; not uncommon or unusual; ordinary 2 not admitting of any exception 3 var. of UNEXCEPTIONABLE: regarded by some as a loose usage un'ex·cep´tion·al·ly •adv.
unexpected (-ek spekt´id) •adj. not expected; unforeseen un'ex·pect´ed·ly •adv. un'ex·pect´ed·ness •n.
unexpressive (-ek spres´iv) •adj. 1 INEXPRESSIVE 2 [Obs.] that cannot be expressed; inexpressible
unfailing (ûn feil´iŋ) •adj. 1 not failing 2 never ceasing or falling short; inexhaustible 3 always reliable; certain un·fail´ing·ly •adv.
unfair (-fer´) •adj. 1 not just or impartial; biased; inequitable 2 dishonest, dishonorable, or unethical in business dealings un·fair´ly •adv. un·fair´ness •n. [ME < OE unfæger, unfair, ugly < un-, not + fæger, FAIR¹]
unfaithful (-feiθ´fэl) •adj. 1 failing to observe the terms of a vow, promise, understanding, etc., or false to allegiance or duty; faithless; disloyal 2 not true, accurate, or reliable; untrustworthy 3 guilty of adultery; adulterous 4 [Archaic] lacking good faith; dishonest 5 [Obs.] infidel un·faith´ful·ly •adv. un·faith´ful·ness •n.
unfamiliar (ûn'fэ mil´yэr) •adj. 1 not familiar or well-known; strange 2 having no acquaintance (with); not conversant {unfamiliar with the novels of Kafka} un'fa·mil'i·ar´i·ty (-i: ær´э ti:) •n. un'fa·mil´iar·ly •adv.
unfasten (ûn fæs´эn) •vt. to open or make loose; untie, unlock, undo, etc. •vi. to become unfastened
unfathered (-fä´ðэrd) •adj. 1 [Obs.] having no father; fatherless 2 of unknown paternity; bastard 3 of unknown authorship or unestablished authenticity
unfavorable (-fei´vэr э bэl) •adj. not favorable; specif., a) not propitious b) adverse, contrary, or disadvantageous un·fa´vor·a·bly •adv.
unfeeling (-fi:l´iŋ) •adj. 1 incapable of feeling or sensation; insensate or insensible 2 incapable of sympathy or mercy; hardhearted; callous; cruel un·feel´ing·ly •adv.
unfeigned (-feind´) •adj. not feigned; genuine; real; sincere un·feign´ed·ly (-fein´id li:) •adv.
unfetter (-fet´эr) •vt. to free from fetters; free from restraint of any kind; liberate
unfilial (-fil´i: эl) •adj. unlike, or unsuitable to, a loving, respectful son or daughter un·fil´i·al·ly •adv.
unfinished (-fin´isht) •adj. 1 not finished; not completed or perfected; incomplete 2 having no finish, or final coat, as of paint 3 not processed after looming, as woolen cloth
unfit (-fit´) •adj. 1 not meeting requirements; not suitable or qualified 2 not physically or mentally fit or sound 3 not adapted or fitted for a given purpose •vt. -fit´ted, -fit´ting to make unfit; disqualify or incapacitate un·fit´ly •adv. un·fit´ness •n.
unfitted (ûn fit´id) •adj. not fit; unqualified
unfitting (ûn fit´iŋ) •adj. not suitable or appropriate
unfix (ûn fiks´) •vt. 1 to unfasten; loosen; detach 2 to unsettle [UN- + FIX]
unflappable (-flæp´э bэl) •adj. [Colloq.] not easily excited or disconcerted; imperturbable; calm un·flap'pa·bil´i·ty •n. [< UN- + FLAP, n. 5 + -ABLE]
unfledged (-flejd´) •adj. 1 not fully fledged; unfeathered, as a young bird 2 immature; undeveloped
unflinching (-flin´chiŋ) •adj. not flinching, yielding, or shrinking; steadfast; resolute un·flinch´ing·ly •adv.
unfold (-fould´) •vt. 1 to open and spread out (something folded) 2 to make known or lay open to view, esp. in stages or little by little; reveal, disclose, display, or explain 3 to open up; unwrap •vi. 1 to become unfolded; open out or open up 2 to develop fully [ME unfolden < OE unfealdan < un-, UN- + fealdan, to FOLD¹]
unforgettable (ûn'fэr get´э bэl) •adj. so important, beautiful, forceful, shocking, etc. as never to be forgotten un'for·get´ta·bly •adv.
unforgiving (-fэr giv´iŋ) •adj. not willing or not able to forgive un'for·giv´ing·ness •n.
unformed (ûn förmd´) •adj. 1 having no regular form or shape; shapeless 2 not organized or developed 3 not made; uncreated
unfortunate (-för´chэ nit) •adj. 1 a) having bad luck; unlucky b) bringing, or coming by, bad luck; unfavorable 2 not suitable or successful •n. an unfortunate person un·for´tu·nate·ly •adv.
unfounded (-faun´did) •adj. 1 not founded on fact or truth; baseless 2 not established
unfreeze (-fri:z´) -froze´, -froz´en, -freez´ing •vt. 1 to cause to thaw Æ 2 to remove financial controls from (prices, a raw material, etc.) [UN- + FREEZE]
unfriended (-fren´did) •adj. having no friends; friendless
unfriendly (-frend´li:) •adj. 1 not friendly or kind; hostile 2 not favorable or propitious un·friend´li·ness •n.
unfrock (-fräk´) •vt. 1 to remove a frock from 2 to deprive of the rank or function of priest or minister
unfruitful (-fru:t´fэl) •adj. 1 not reproducing; barren; unproductive 2 yielding no worthwhile result; fruitless; unprofitable SYN. STERILE un·fruit´ful·ly •adv.
unfurl (-førl´) •vt., vi. to open or spread out from a furled state
ungainly (-gein´li:) •adj. 1 awkward; clumsy 2 coarse and unattractive •adv. [Archaic] in an ungainly manner un·gain´li·ness •n. [ME ungeinliche < ungein, perilous (< un-, not + ON gegn, ready, serviceable, akin to OE gegn: see AGAIN) + -liche, -LY¹]
Ungava (ûŋ gei´vэ, -gä´-) region in N Quebec, Canada, between Labrador & Hudson Bay: 351,780 sq. mi. (911,106 sq. km)
ungenerous (ûn jen´эr эs) •adj. 1 not generous; stingy; mean 2 not liberal or charitable; harsh {an ungenerous remark} un·gen´er·ous·ly •adv.
ungird (-gørd´) •vt. 1 to remove the belt or girdle of 2 to remove by unfastening a belt [ME ungirden < OE ongyrdan < un-, UN- + gyrdan, to GIRD¹]
ungirt (-gørt´) •adj. 1 having the belt or girdle off or slackened; not girded 2 loose; not braced or drawn tight; slack [ME ungyrt < ungirden: see UNGIRD]
unglue (-glu:´) -glued´, -glu´ing •vt. 1 to separate or detach by or as if by dissolving an adhesive 2 [Slang] to upset; confuse Æ come unglued [Slang] to become emotionally upset and lose one's composure
ungodly (-gäd´li:) •adj. 1 not godly or religious; impious 2 sinful; wicked 3 [Colloq.] outrageous; dreadful •adv. 1 [Archaic] in an impious, sinful, or wicked manner 2 [Colloq.] outrageously; dreadfully {ungodly noisy} un·god´li·ness •n.
ungovernable (-gûv´эrn э bэl) •adj. that cannot be governed or controlled; unruly, wild, etc. un·gov´ern·a·bly •adv.
ungracious (-grei´shэs) •adj. 1 not gracious or affable; rude; discourteous; impolite 2 unpleasant; unattractive un·gra´cious·ly •adv. un·gra´cious·ness •n.
ungrammatical (ûn'grэ mæt´i kэl) •adj. not in accordance with the rules of a grammar un'gram·mat´i·cal·ly •adv.
ungual (ûŋ´gwэl) •adj. of, like, or having a nail, claw, or hoof [< L unguis, a claw, NAIL + -AL]
unguarded (ûn gärd´id) •adj. 1 having no guard; unprotected 2 without guile or cunning; open 3 careless; thoughtless; imprudent un·guard´ed·ly •adv.
unguent (ûŋ´gwэnt) •n. a salve or ointment un´guen·tar'y (-gwэn ter'i:) •adj. [L unguentum < unguere, to anoint < IE base *ongw- > Sans anákti, (he) anoints, MHG anke, butter]
unguiculate (ûŋ gwik´yu: lit, -leit') •adj. 1 having nails, claws, or talons instead of hoofs 2 Bot. having an unguis •n. a mammal having claws or nails [< L unguiculus, fingernail, dim. of unguis, claw, talon, NAIL + -ATE¹]
unguis (ûŋ´gwis) pl. un´gues' (-gwi:z') •n. 1 Bot. the narrow, stalklike, claw-shaped base of certain petals 2 Zool. a nail, claw, or hoof [L, a NAIL]
ungula (ûŋ´gyu: lэ) pl. -lae' (-li:') UNGUIS (sense 2) •n. un´gu·lar •adj. [L, a hoof < unguis, a hoof, NAIL]
ungulate (-lit, -leit') •adj. 1 having hoofs; of or belonging to a former group of all mammals having hoofs 2 shaped like a hoof •n. a mammal having hoofs [LL ungulatus < L ungula, a hoof < unguis, a NAIL]
unhair (ûn her´) •vt., vi. to make or become free from hair, as hides before tanning
unhallow (-hæl´ou) •vt. to desecrate; profane
unhallowed (-hæl´oud) •adj. 1 not hallowed or consecrated; unholy 2 wicked; profane; impious
unhand (-hænd´) •vt. to loose or release from the hand or hands or one's grasp; let go of
unhandsome (-hæn´sэm) •adj. 1 not handsome or attractive; plain; homely 2 not gracious or courteous; rude; unbecoming 3 stingy; mean un·hand´some·ly •adv.
unhandy (-hæn´di:) -hand´i·er, -hand´i·est •adj. 1 not handy; inconvenient or inaccessible 2 not clever with the hands; awkward un·hand´i·ly •adv. un·hand´i·ness •n.
unhappy (-hæp´i:) -pi·er, -pi·est •adj. 1 unlucky; unfortunate 2 sad; wretched; sorrowful 3 not suitable or apt; ill-chosen 4 [Obs.] evil; reprehensible un·hap´pi·ly •adv. un·hap´pi·ness •n.
unharness (-här´nis) •vt. 1 orig., to remove the armor from (a knight, etc.) 2 to remove the harness or gear from
unhealthy (-hel´θi:) -health´i·er, -health´i·est •adj. 1 having or showing poor health; sickly; not well 2 harmful to health; unwholesome 3 harmful to morals or character 4 dangerous or risky {an unhealthy situation} un·health´i·ly •adv. un·health´i·ness •n.
unheard (-hørd´) •adj. 1 not heard; not perceived by the ear 2 not given a hearing 3 early var. of UNHEARD-OF
unheard-of (-hørd´ûv') •adj. 1 not heard of before; unprecedented or unknown 2 unacceptable or outrageous {unheard-of effrontery}
unhelm (-helm´) •vt., vi. [Obs.] to remove the helm or helmet (of)
unhinge (-hinj´) -hinged´, -hing´ing •vt. 1 a) to remove from the hinges b) to remove the hinges from 2 to dislodge or detach 3 to throw (the mind, etc.) into confusion; unbalance or upset
unhistoric (ûn'his tör´ik) •adj. 1 not historic or historical 2 Linguis. not having a historical basis; accidental, as the b in thumb Also un'his·tor´i·cal
unhitch (ûn hich´) •vt. 1 to free from a hitch 2 to unfasten; release; detach
unholy (-hou´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. 1 not sacred, hallowed, or consecrated 2 wicked; profane; impious 3 [Colloq.] outrageous; dreadful un·ho´li·ness •n. [ME < OE unhalig < un-, not + halig, HOLY]
unhook (-huk´) •vt. 1 to remove or loosen from a hook 2 to undo or unfasten the hook or hooks of •vi. to become unhooked
unhoped-for (-houpt´för') •adj. not hoped for; unexpected {an unhoped-for advantage} Also [Now Rare] un·hoped´
unhorse (-hörs´) -horsed´, -hors´ing •vt. 1 to throw (a rider) from a horse 2 to overthrow; upset
unhuman (-hyu:´mэn) •adj. 1 rare var. of: a) INHUMAN b) SUPERHUMAN 2 not human in kind, quality, etc. un·hu´man·ly •adv.
unhurried (-hør´i:d) •adj. not hurried; leisurely; deliberate un·hur´ried·ly •adv.
uni- (yu:n´э, yu:n´i; before a vowel, often yu:n´i:) prefix one; having or consisting of one only; regarded as a single entity {unicellular, unisex} [L < unus, ONE]
Uniate (yu:n´i: it, -i: eit') •n. a member of any Eastern Christian Church in union with the Roman Catholic Church but with its own rite, custom, etc. •adj. of such a church Often regarded as an offensive term Also U´ni·at' (-i: æt', -i: it) [Russ uniyat < uniya, the union establishing this church < VL unio, UNION]
uniaxial (yu:n'i: æk´si: эl) •adj. having a single axis, as some crystals u'ni·ax´i·al·ly •adv.
unicameral (yu:n'i kæm´эr эl) •adj. of or having a single legislative chamber [UNI- + CAMERAL]
UNICEF (yu:n´э sef') United Nations Children's Fund: formerly, United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund
unicellular (yu:n'э sel´yu: lэr) •adj. having or consisting of a single cell [UNI- + CELLULAR]
unicorn (yu:n´i körn') •n. 1 a mythical horselike animal with a single horn growing from the center of its forehead 2 Bible a two-horned, oxlike animal: Deut. 33:17 [< a mistransl. of Heb reem, wild ox] [ME unicorne < OFr < L unicornis, one-horned < unus, ONE + cornu, HORN]
unicostate (yu:n'i käs´teit') •adj. Bot. having only one main rib: said of a leaf
unicycle (yu:n´э sai'kэl) •n. a one-wheeled vehicle straddled by the rider who pushes its pedals u'ni·cy´clist •n. [UNI- + (BI)CYCLE]
unidimensional (yu:n'э dэ men´shэ nэl) •adj. having only a single dimension
unidirectional (-dэ rek´shэ nэl) •adj. having, or moving in, only one direction
unidirectional current DIRECT CURRENT
unifiable (yu:n´э fai'э bэl) •adj. that can be unified
unification (yu:n'э fi kei´shэn) •n. the act of unifying or the state of being unified
unifier (yu:n´э fai'эr) •n. a person or thing that unifies
unifilar (yu:n'э fai´lэr) •adj. of or having only one thread, wire, etc. [UNI- + FILAR]
unifoliate (-fou´li: it) •adj. 1 bearing only one leaf 2 var. of UNIFOLIOLATE [UNI- + FOLIATE]
unifoliolate (-fou´li: э leit') •adj. 1 bearing only one leaflet although compound in structure, as a leaf of the orange 2 having leaves of this sort [UNI- + FOLIOLATE]
uniform (yu:n´э förm') •adj. 1 a) always the same; not varying or changing in form, rate, degree, manner, etc.; constant {a uniform speed} b) identical throughout a state, country, etc. {a uniform minimum wage} 2 a) having the same form, appearance, manner, etc. as others of the same class; conforming to a given standard {a row of uniform houses} b) being or looking the same in all parts; undiversified {a uniform surface} 3 consistent in action, intention, effect, etc. {a uniform policy} •n. the official or distinctive clothes or outfit worn by the members of a particular group, as policemen or soldiers, esp. when on duty •vt. Æ 1 to clothe or supply with a uniform 2 to make uniform SYN. STEADY uniform with having the same form, appearance, etc. as u´ni·form'ly •adv. [MFr uniforme < L uniformis < unus, ONE + -formis, -FORM]
Uniform Code of Military Justice the body of laws governing members of the U.S. armed forces: superseded the Articles of War in 1951
Uniform Commercial Code a codification of commercial laws designed to provide uniformity among the States
uniformed (-förmd') •adj. wearing a uniform
uniformitarian (yu:n'э förm'э ter´i: эn) •adj. 1 of or holding the doctrine of uniformitarianism 2 of or adhering to uniformity in something •n. a person who adheres to some doctrine of uniformity
uniformitarianism (-iz'эm) •n. the doctrine that all geologic changes may be explained by existing physical and chemical processes, as erosion, deposition, volcanic action, etc., that have operated in essentially the same way throughout geologic time
uniformity (yu:n'э förm´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. state, quality, or instance of being uniform [ME uniformite < MFr < L uniformitas]
unify (yu:n´э fai') -fied', -fy'ing •vt., vi. to combine into one; become or make united; consolidate [MFr unifier < LL unificare: see UNI- & -FY]
unijugate (yu: nij´э geit'; yu:n'э ju:´geit', -git) •adj. Bot. having only one pair of leaflets: said of a pinnate leaf [UNI- + JUGATE]
unilateral (yu:n'э læt´эr эl) •adj. 1 of, occurring on, or affecting one side only 2 involving or obligating one only of several persons or parties; done or undertaken by one only; not reciprocal {a unilateral contract} 3 taking into account one side only of a matter; one-sided 4 UNILINEAL 5 turned to one side 6 Biol. arranged or produced on one side of an axis u'ni·lat´er·al·ism' •n. u'ni·lat´er·al·ly •adv. [ModL unilateralis: see UNI- & LATERAL]
unilineal (-lin´i: эl) •adj. showing descent through only one line of the family, either that of the father or that of the mother u'ni·lin´e·al·ly •adv.
unilinear (-lin´i: эr) •adj. of or following a single, consistent path of development or progression
unilocular (-läk´yu: lэr) •adj. having, or made up of, only one loculus, compartment, cell, or chamber
unimpeachable (ûn'im pi:´chэ bэl) •adj. not impeachable; that cannot be doubted, questioned, or discredited; irreproachable un'im·peach´a·bly •adv.
unimproved (ûn'im pru:vd´) •adj. 1 not bettered, improved, or developed {unimproved land, with no buildings on it} 2 not used to good advantage 3 not improved in health
unincorporated (-in kör´pэ reit'id) •adj. not organized as a legal corporation {an unincorporated village}
uninhibited (-in hib´it id) •adj. without inhibition; esp., free from the usual social or psychological restraints, as in behavior
uninspired (-in spaird´) •adj. not inspired; lacking spirit, creativity, zest, etc.; dull {an uninspired performance, an uninspired speaker}
unintelligent (-in tel´i jэnt) •adj. having or showing a lack or deficiency of intelligence un'in·tel´li·gence •n. un'in·tel´li·gent·ly •adv.
unintelligible (-tel´i jэ bэl) •adj. not intelligible; that cannot be understood; incomprehensible un'in·tel'li·gi·bil´i·ty •n. un'in·tel´li·gi·bly •adv.
unintentional (-ten´shэn эl) •adj. not done on purpose un'in·ten´tion·al·ly •adv.
uninterested (ûn in´trэst id, -tэr ist id) •adj. not interested; indifferent un·in´ter·est·ed·ly •adv.
uninteresting (-iŋ) •adj. lacking interest; dull; tedious un·in´ter·est·ing·ly •adv.
union (yu:n´yэn) •n. 1 a uniting or being united; combination; esp., a) a combining, joining, or grouping together of nations, states, political groups, etc. for some specific purpose b) a marrying or being married; marriage 2 something united or unified; a whole made up of parts; esp., a) an organization or confederation uniting various individuals, political units, etc. b) short for LABOR UNION c) in England, a former combination of parishes for the joint administration of relief for the poor; also, a workhouse kept up by such a union 3 a design symbolizing political union, used in a flag or ensign, as the white stars on a blue field in the flag of the U.S. 4 a building used for social recreation on a college or university campus: in full student union 5 a device for joining together parts, as of a machine; esp., a coupling for linking the ends of pipes 6 a fabric made of two or more different kinds of material, as cotton and linen 7 Math. the set containing all the elements of two or more given sets, and no other elements SYN. ALLIANCE, UNITY Æ the Union 1 the United States of America, specif. when regarded as a Federal union 2 the North in the Civil War [ME < MFr < LL(Ec) unio < L, oneness, unity < unus, ONE]
union card a card serving to identify one as a member in good standing of a specified labor union
union catalog a library catalog combining the catalogs of several different libraries or different divisions of one library
Union City city in NE N.J.: suburb of Jersey City: pop. 58,000 [formed by the union of two older towns]
union jack a jack, or flag, consisting only of a UNION (sense 3), esp. of the union of a national flag [U- J-] the national flag of the United Kingdom
Union of South Africa see SOUTH AFRICA
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics former country in E Europe & N Asia, extending from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea & from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific: formed in 1922 as a union of fifteen constituent republics, it was disbanded in 1991: 8,649,000 sq. mi. (22,402,000 sq. km); cap. Moscow
union shop 1 a factory, business, etc. operating under a contract between the employer and a labor union, which permits the hiring of nonunion workers but requires that all new employees join the union within a specified period 2 this contract
union suit a suit of men's or boys' underwear uniting shirt and drawers in a single garment
unionism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 a) the principle of union b) support of this principle or of a specified union 2 the system or principles of labor unions Æ 3 [U-] loyalty to the Federal union of the U.S., esp. during the Civil War
unionist (-ist) •n. 1 a person who believes in unionism 2 a member of a labor union Æ 3 [U-] a supporter of the Federal union of the U.S., esp. during the Civil War
unionize (-aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to form into a union; esp., to organize (a group of workers in a shop, industry, etc.) into a labor union 2 to bring into conformity with the rules, standards, etc. of a labor union •vi. to join or organize a union, esp. a labor union un'ion·i·za´tion •n.
unionized (ûn ai´эn aizd') •adj. not ionized
uniparous (yu: nip´эr эs) •adj. 1 Bot. producing only one axis at each branching, as a cyme 2 Zool. producing only one egg or offspring at a time [UNI- + -PAROUS]
unipersonal (yu:n'э pør´sэn эl) •adj. 1 existing as or in, consisting of, or manifested in the form of, only one person 2 Gram. used in only one person (specif., the third person singular): said of certain verbs, as methinks
unipetalous (-pet´ªl эs) •adj. having a corolla of only one petal, the others being undeveloped
uniplanar (-plei´nэr) •adj. of or lying in one plane
unipolar (-pou´lэr) •adj. 1 Elec. of or having only one magnetic or electric pole 2 Zool. designating a nerve cell, as in spinal ganglia, having only one process u'ni·po·lar´i·ty (-ler´e ti:) •n.
unipotent (yu: nip´э tэnt) •adj. Biol. capable of developing into only a single type of cell or tissue: said of certain, esp. embryonic, cells [UNI- + POTENT]
unique (yu: ni:k´) •adj. 1 one and only; single; sole {a unique specimen} 2 having no like or equal; unparalleled {a unique achievement} 3 highly unusual, extraordinary, rare, etc.: a common usage still objected to by some u·nique´ly •adv. u·nique´ness •n. [Fr < L unicus, single < unus, ONE]
uniramous (yu:n'э rei´mэs) •adj. having a single branch [UNI- + RAMOUS]
unisex (yu:n´э seks') •adj. designating, of, or involving a fashion, as in garments, hair styles, etc., that is undifferentiated for the sexes
unisexual (yu:n'э sek´shu: эl) •adj. 1 of only one sex; specif., a) Bot. DICLINOUS b) Zool. producing either eggs or sperm, not both; dioecious 2 UNISEX u'ni·sex'u·al´i·ty (-shu: æl´э ti:) •n. u'ni·sex´u·al·ly •adv. [ModL unisexualis: see UNI- & SEXUAL]
unison (yu:n´э sэn, -zэn) •n. 1 an interval consisting of two identical musical pitches; prime 2 complete agreement; concord; harmony in unison 1 sounding the same note at the same time 2 sounding together in octaves 3 with all the voices or instruments performing the same part: said of a musical composition or passage 4 uttering the same words, or producing the same sound, at the same time [MFr < ML unisonus, having the same sound < L unus, ONE + sonus, a SOUND¹]
unisonous (yu nis´э nэs) •adj. produced or sounding in unison Also u·nis´o·nal or u·nis´o·nant
unit (yu:n´it) •n. 1 a) the smallest whole number; one b) a magnitude or number regarded as an undivided whole c) the number in the position just to the left of the decimal point 2 any fixed quantity, amount, distance, measure, etc. used as a standard; specif., Æ a) a fixed amount of work used as a basis in awarding scholastic credits, usually determined by the number of hours spent in class b) the amount of a drug, vaccine, serum, or antigen needed to produce a given result, as on a certain animal or on animal tissues 3 a) a single person or group, esp. as distinguished from others or as part of a whole b) a single, distinct part or object, esp. one used for a specific purpose {the lens unit of a camera} c) a single residence, as an apartment, that is part of a complex {a rental unit} 4 Mil. an organized body of troops, airplanes, etc. forming a subdivision of a larger body [back-form. (prob. modeled on DIGIT) < UNITY] Unit Unitarian
unit (magnetic) pole a magnetic pole that, when placed in a vacuum at a distance of one centimeter from an equal and like pole, will repel it with a force of one dyne