unit cell the smallest unit of structure of a crystal: it has sides parallel to the crystal axes and its exact repetition in three dimensions along these axes generates the space lattice of a given crystal
unit character Genetics a character or trait determined by a single gene or gene pair: see MENDEL'S LAWS
unit pricing a supplementary system of pricing commodities, esp. food items, by showing the prices in terms of standard units, as of an ounce or pint: it facilitates a comparison of prices of competing items
unit rule a rule, as in national political conventions, that the entire vote of a delegation, if the State's party apparatus so chooses, shall be cast as a unit, disregarding minority votes in the delegation
unitage (-ij) •n. a designation of the amount or quantity of a unit of measure
unitard (yu:n´э tärd') •n. a leotard that also covers the legs and, sometimes, the feet [UNI- + (LEO)TARD]
Unitarian (yu:n'э ter´i: эn) •n. 1 a person who denies the doctrine of the Trinity, accepting the moral teachings, but rejecting the divinity, of Jesus, and holding that God exists as one person or being 2 a member of a denomination based on these beliefs and characterized by congregational autonomy, tolerance of differing religious views, absence of creed, etc.: in full Unitarian Universalist •adj. 1 of Unitarians or their doctrines, or adhering to Unitarianism 2 [u-] UNITARY U'ni·tar´i·an·ism' •n. [< ModL unitarius, unitary + -AN: also in part < UNIT(Y) + -ARIAN]
unitary (yu:n´э ter'i:) •adj. 1 of a unit or units 2 of, based on, or characterized by unity 3 having the nature of or used as a unit
unite¹ (yu: nait´) -nit´ed, -nit´ing •vt. 1 to put or bring together so as to make one; combine or join into a whole 2 a) to bring together in common cause, interest, opinion, etc.; join, as in action, through fellowship, agreement, legal bonds, etc. b) to join in marriage 3 to have or show (qualities, characteristics, etc.) in combination 4 to cause to adhere •vi. 1 to become combined or joined together; become one or as one, by adhering, associating, etc. 2 to act together SYN. JOIN [ME unyten < L unitus, pp. of unire, to unite < unus, ONE]
unite² (yu:´nait, yu: nait´) •n. a former English gold coin of James I, equal to 20 shillings [< ME, united: with reference to the union of England and Scotland]
united (yu: nait´id) •adj. 1 combined; joined; made one 2 of or resulting from joint action or association 3 in agreement or harmony u·nit´ed·ly •adv.
United Arab Emirates country in E Arabia, on the Persian Gulf, consisting of seven Arab sheikdoms (formerly called TRUCIAL STATES): c. 32,000 sq. mi. (82,880 sq. km); pop. 1,326,000; cap. Abu Dhabi
United Arab Republic 1 old name of Egypt and Syria, united as a single nation (1958-61) 2 old name of Egypt (1961-71)
United Church of Canada a Protestant denomination formed in Canada in 1924-25 by union of the Methodist and Congregational churches and two-thirds of the Presbyterian churches
United Church of Christ a Protestant denomination formed by the merger in 1957 of the Congregational Christian Church with the Evangelical and Reformed Church
United Kingdom 1 country in W Europe, consisting of Great Britain & Northern Ireland: 94,217 sq. mi. (244,021 sq. km); pop. 56,458,000; cap. London: in full United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 2 country (1801-1921) consisting of Great Britain & Ireland: in full United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Nations an international organization of nations pledged to promote world peace and security, maintain treaty obligations & the observance of international law, & cooperate in furthering social progress: the organization was formed in San Francisco in 1945 under a permanent charter (ratified by 50 countries) that had its inception in conferences (1941-45) held by nations opposed to the fascist coalition of Germany, Japan, Italy, & their satellites: the headquarters has been in New York City since 1946 and the membership (1993) consists of 181 nations
United States Air Force the aviation branch of the United States armed forces
United States Army the Regular Army of the United States: cf. ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES
United States Army Special Forces see SPECIAL FORCES
United States Marine Corps a branch of the United States armed forces trained for land, sea, and aerial combat, responsible especially for amphibious operations: a separate service within the Department of the Navy
United States Navy the naval branch of the United States armed forces
United States of America country made up of the North American area extending from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean between Canada and Mexico, together with Alas. & Hawaii; 3,615,211 sq. mi. (9,376,614 sq. km); pop. 248,710,000; cap. Washington: also called the United States
unitive (yu:n´э tiv) •adj. 1 having or characterized by unity 2 tending to unite [ML unitivus]
unitize (yu:n´э taiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make into a single unit u'nit·i·za´tion •n. [UNIT + -IZE]
unity (yu:n´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state of being one, or united; oneness; singleness 2 something complete in itself; single, separate thing 3 the quality of being one in spirit, sentiment, purpose, etc.; harmony; agreement; concord; uniformity 4 a) unification b) a unified group or body 5 the quality or fact of being a totality or whole, esp. a complex that is a union of related parts 6 a) an arrangement of parts or material in a work of art or literature, that will produce a single, harmonious effect b) a design or effect so produced 7 constancy, continuity, or fixity of purpose, action, etc. 8 Math. a) any quantity, magnitude, etc. considered or identified as a unit, or 1 b) the numeral or unit 1 the (three) unities the three principles of dramatic construction derived by French neoclassicists from Aristotle's Poetics, holding that a play should have one unified plot (unity of action) and that all the action should occur within one day (unity of time) and be limited to a single locale (unity of place) SYN.—unity implies the oneness, as in spirit, aims, interests, feelings, etc., of that which is made up of diverse elements or individuals [national unity]; union implies the state of being united into a single organization for a common purpose [a labor union]; solidarity implies such firm and complete unity in an organization, group, class, etc. as to make for the greatest possible strength in influence, action, etc. [ME unite < OFr unité < L unitas, oneness < unus, ONE]
Univ Universalist univ 1 universal 2 universally 3 university
univalent (yu:n'э vei´lэnt, yu: niv´э lэnt) •adj. 1 Biol. single; unpaired: said of a chromosome 2 Chem. MONOVALENT (sense 2): see -VALENT u'ni·va´lence or u'ni·va´len·cy •n. [UNI- + -VALENT]
univalve (yu:n´э vælv') •n. 1 a mollusk having a one-piece shell, as a snail 2 such a one-piece shell •adj. 1 designating or having a one-piece shell 2 having one valve only: also u´ni·valved' [UNI- + VALVE]
universal (yu:n'э vør´sэl) •adj. 1 of the universe; present or occurring everywhere or in all things 2 of, for, affecting, or including all or the whole of something specified; not limited or restricted 3 [Obs.] being, or regarded as, a complete whole; entire; whole 4 broad in knowledge, interests, ability, etc. 5 that can be used for a great many or all kinds, forms, sizes, etc.; highly adaptable {a universal voltage regulator} 6 used, intended to be used, or understood by all 7 Logic not restricted or particular in application; predicating something of every member of a specified class •n. 1 short for UNIVERSAL JOINT 2 Logic a) a universal proposition b) PREDICABLE (n. 2) c) a general term or concept, or that which such a term or concept covers 3 Philos. a metaphysical entity characterized by repeatability and unchanging nature through a series of changing relations, as substance u'ni·ver´sal·ness •n. SYN.—universal implies applicability to every case or individual, without exception, in the class, category, etc. concerned [a universal practice among primitive peoples]; general implies applicability to all, nearly all, or most of a group or class [a general election]; generic implies applicability to every member of a class or, specif. in biology, of a genus [a generic name] [ME universel < OFr < L universalis < universus: see UNIVERSE]
universal joint (or coupling) a flexible mechanical connection, esp. one used to transmit rotary motion from one shaft to another not in line with it, as in the drive shaft of an automobile
Universal Product Code a patterned series of vertical bars of varying widths printed on packages of many consumer products: it can be read by a computerized scanner for inventory control, pricing, etc.: cf. BAR CODE
universal set Math. the set of all objects or elements considered in a given problem
Universal time GREENWICH (MEAN) TIME
universalism (-iz'эm) •n. 1 UNIVERSALITY 2 [U-] the theological doctrine that all souls will eventually find salvation in the grace of God
universalist (-ist) •n. 1 a person characterized by universality, as of interests or activities Æ 2 [U-] a member of a former U.S. Protestant denomination (founded c. 1789), now merged with the Unitarians •adj. 1 marked by universality Æ 2 [U-] of Universalism or Universalists u'ni·ver'sal·is´tic •adj.
universality (yu:n'э vэr sæl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 quality, state, or instance of being universal 2 unlimited range, application, occurrence, etc.; comprehensiveness
universalize (yu:n'э vør´sэl aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. to make universal u'ni·ver'sal·i·za´tion •n.
universally (yu:n'э vør´sэl i:) •adv. in a universal manner; specif., a) in every instance b) in every part or place
universe (yu:n´э vørs') •n. 1 the totality of all the things that exist; creation; the cosmos 2 the world, or earth, as the scene of human activity 3 a field or sphere, as of thought or activity, regarded as a distinct, comprehensive system 4 Math. a universal set SYN. EARTH [L universum, the universe < neut. of universus, all together < unus, ONE + versus, pp. of vertere, to turn: see VERSE]
universe of discourse Logic the totality of facts, things, or ideas implied or assumed in a given discussion, argument, or discourse
university (yu:n'э vør´sэ ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 an educational institution of the highest level, typically, in the U.S., with one or more undergraduate colleges, together with a program of graduate studies and a number of professional schools, and authorized to confer various degrees, as the bachelor's, master's, and doctor's 2 the grounds, buildings, etc. of a university 3 the students, faculty, and administrators of a university collectively [ME universite < MFr université < ML universitas < L, the whole, universe, society, guild < universus: see UNIVERSE]
University City city in E Mo., near St. Louis: pop. 40,000 [named for its proximity to Washington University]
univocal (yu: niv´э kэl) •adj. having a single, sharply defined sense or nature; unambiguous
unjoint (ûn joint´) •vt. 1 to separate (a joint) 2 to separate the joints of
unjust (-jûst´) •adj. 1 not just or right; unfair; contrary to justice 2 [Obs.] dishonest or unfaithful un·just´ly •adv. un·just´ness •n.
unkempt (-kempt´) •adj. 1 tangled, disheveled, etc., as if from not having been combed 2 not tidy or neat; messy 3 not polished or refined; crude; rough un·kempt´ness •n. [UN- + kempt, pp. of dial. kemben, to comb < ME < OE cemban < camb, a COMB¹]
unkenned (-kend´) •adj. [Scot.] unknown; strange
unkennel (-ken´эl) -neled or -nelled, -nel·ing or -nel·ling •vt. 1 a) to drive from a den or hole b) to release from a kennel 2 to bring to light; uncover; disclose
unkind (-kaind´) •adj. not kind; specif., a) not sympathetic to or considerate of others b) harsh, severe, cruel, rigorous, etc. un·kind´ness •n.
unkindly (-kaind´li:) •adj. UNKIND •adv. in an unkind manner un·kind´li·ness •n.
unknit (-nit´) -knit´ted or -knit´, -knit´ting •vt., vi. to untie, undo, or unravel [ME unknytten < OE uncnyttan]
unknot (-nät´) -knot´ted, -knot´ting •vt. 1 to untie (a knot) 2 to undo or untangle a knot or knots in
unknowable (-nou´э bэl) •adj. not knowable; that cannot be known; specif., beyond the range of human comprehension or experience •n. anything unknowable
unknowing (-nou´iŋ) •adj. not knowing; ignorant or unaware un·know´ing·ly •adv.
unknown (-noun´) •adj. not known; specif., a) not in the knowledge, understanding, or acquaintance of someone; unfamiliar (to) b) not discovered, identified, determined, explored, etc. •n. 1 an unknown person or thing 2 an unknown mathematical quantity: also, a symbol for this
Unknown Soldier [also u- s-] an unidentified soldier, killed in a war, whose body has been chosen and enshrined as representative of a nation's war dead
unlace (-leis´) -laced´, -lac´ing •vt. 1 to undo or unfasten the laces of 2 to loosen or remove the clothing of
unlade (-leid´) -lad´ed, -lad´ed or -lad´en, -lad´ing •vt., vi. 1 to unload (a ship, etc.) 2 to discharge (a cargo, etc.)
unlash (-læsh´) •vt. to untie or loosen (something lashed, or tied with a rope, etc.)
unlatch (-læch´) •vt., vi. to open by release of a latch
unlawful (-lö´fэl) •adj. 1 against the law; illegal 2 against moral or ethical standards; immoral un·law´ful·ly •adv. un·law´ful·ness •n.
unlay (-lei´) -laid´, -lay´ing •vt., vi. Naut. to untwist: said of a rope [UN- + LAY¹, vt. 14]
unleaded (-led´id) •adj. 1 not covered or weighted with lead 2 not containing lead compounds: said of gasoline 3 Printing not having the lines of type separated by leads
unlearn (-lørn´) •vt., vi. to forget or try to forget (something learned); get rid of (a habit) [ME unlernen: see UN- & LEARN]
unlearned (-lørn´id; for 2, -lørnd´) •adj. 1 a) not learned or educated; ignorant b) showing a lack of learning or education 2 a) not learned {unlearned lessons} b) known or acquired without conscious study {an unlearned sense of tact} SYN. IGNORANT
unleash (-li:sh´) •vt. to release from or as from a leash
unless (ûn les´, эn-) conj. in any case other than that; except that; except if {unless it rains, the game will be played} •prep. except; save {nothing, unless a miracle, can save him} [ME onlesse, earlier on lesse that, in lesse that, at less than, for less]
unlettered (ûn let´эrd) •adj. 1 a) not lettered; ignorant; uneducated b) illiterate 2 not marked with letters SYN. IGNORANT
unlike (-laik´) •adj. 1 having little or no resemblance; not alike; different; dissimilar 2 [Now Chiefly Dial.] unlikely •prep. 1 not like; different from {a case unlike any previous one} 2 not characteristic of {it's unlike her to cry} un·like´ness •n. [ME unliche: see UN- & LIKE¹]
unlikely (-laik´li:) •adj. 1 not likely to happen or be true; improbable 2 not likely to succeed; not promising •adv. improbably {he may, not unlikely, join us} un·like´li·hood' or un·like´li·ness •n. [ME unlikly, prob. based on ON ūlīkligr]
unlimber¹ (-lim´bэr) •adj. not limber, or supple; stiff {unlimber fingers} •vt., vi. to make or become supple
unlimber² (-lim´bэr) •vt., vi. 1 to prepare (a field gun) for use by detaching the limber 2 to get ready for use or action [UN- + LIMBER²]
unlimited (-lim´it id) •adj. 1 without limits or restrictions {unlimited power} 2 lacking or seeming to lack boundaries; vast; illimitable {unlimited space}
unlink (-liŋk´) •vt. 1 to unfasten the links of (a chain, etc.) 2 to separate (things linked together)
unlisted (-lis´tid) •adj. not listed; specif., a) not constituting an entry in a list b) not publicly listed; privately assigned {an unlisted telephone number} c) not listed among those admitted for the purpose of trading on the stock exchange (said of securities)
unlive (-liv´) -lived´, -liv´ing •vt. 1 to live so as to wipe out the results of; live down 2 to annul or wipe out (past experience, etc.)
unload (-loud´) •vt. 1 a) to remove or take off (a load, cargo, etc.) b) to take a load, cargo, etc. from 2 a) to give vent to (one's grief, troubles, etc.); express or tell freely b) to relieve of something that troubles, burdens, etc. 3 to remove the charge from (a gun) 4 to get rid of {unloading surplus goods} •vi. to unload something
unlock (-läk´) •vt. 1 a) to open (a lock) b) to open the lock of (a door, chest, etc.) 2 to let loose as if by opening a lock; release {to unlock a torrent of grief} 3 to cause to separate; part {to unlock clenched jaws} 4 to lay open; reveal {to unlock a secret} •vi. to become unlocked
unlooked-for (-lukt´för') •adj. not looked for; not expected or foreseen
unloose (-lu:s´) -loosed´, -loos´ing •vt. to make or set loose; loosen, release, undo, etc. Also un·loos´en
unlovely (-lûv´li:) •adj. not lovely, pleasing, or attractive; disagreeable un·love´li·ness •n.
unlucky (-lûk´i:) -luck´i·er, -luck´i·est •adj. not lucky; having, attended with, bringing, or involving bad luck; unfortunate, ill-fated, or ill-omened un·luck´i·ly •adv.
unmake (-meik´) -made´, -mak´ing •vt. 1 to cause to be as before being made; cause to revert to the original form, elements, or condition 2 to ruin; destroy 3 to depose from a position or rank
unman (-mæn´) -manned´, -man´ning •vt. 1 to deprive of manly courage, nerve, self-confidence, etc. 2 to emasculate; castrate 3 to deprive of men or personnel: now usually in the pp.: cf. UNMANNED SYN. UNNERVE
unmanly (-mæn´li:) -li·er, -li·est •adj. not manly; specif., a) lacking courage, resoluteness, etc.; cowardly, weak, etc. b) not befitting a man; effeminate; womanish un·man´li·ness •n.
unmanned (-mænd´) •adj. 1 not manned Æ 2 without people aboard and operating by automatic or remote control, as a pilotless aircraft or spacecraft
unmannerly (-mæn´эr li:) •adj. having or showing poor manners; rude; discourteous •adv. in an unmannerly way; rudely un·man´ner·li·ness •n. [ME unmanerli]
unmask (-mæsk´) •vt. 1 to remove a mask or disguise from 2 to disclose the true nature of; expose; reveal •vi. 1 to take off a mask or disguise 2 to appear in true character
unmeaning (-mi:n´iŋ) •adj. 1 lacking in meaning, sense, or significance 2 showing no sense or intelligence; empty; expressionless
unmeet (-mi:t´) •adj. [Now Rare] not meet, fit, or proper; unsuitable; unseemly [ME unmete < OE unmæte]
unmentionable (ûn men´shэn э bэl) •adj. not fit to be mentioned, esp. in polite conversation
unmentionables (-bэlz) •n.pl. things regarded as improper to be mentioned or talked about; specif., in jocular use, undergarments
unmerciful (ûn mør´si fэl) •adj. 1 having or showing no mercy; cruel; relentless; pitiless 2 beyond what is proper or usual; excessive un·mer´ci·ful·ly •adv.
unmindful (-maind´fэl) •adj. not mindful or attentive; forgetful; heedless; careless un·mind´ful·ly •adv.
unmistakable (ûn'mis teik´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be mistaken or misinterpreted; leaving room for no misunderstanding; clear; plain un'mis·tak´a·bly •adv.
unmitigated (ûn mit´э geit'id) •adj. 1 not lessened or eased {unmitigated suffering} 2 unqualified; out-and-out; absolute {an unmitigated fool} un·mit´i·gat'ed·ly •adv.
unmoor (-mur´) •vt. 1 to free (a ship, etc.) from moorings 2 to heave up all anchors of (a ship) but one •vi. to become unmoored
unmoral (-mör´эl) •adj. AMORAL un·mo·ral·i·ty (ûn'mэ ræl´э ti:) •n.
unmuffle (-mûf´эl) -fled, -fling •vt. 1 to remove a covering from (the face, head, etc.) 2 to remove the muffling from (oars, a drum, etc.) •vi. to take off something that muffles
unmuzzle (-mûz´эl) -zled, -zling •vt. 1 to free (a dog, etc.) from a muzzle 2 to free from restraint or censorship of what is written or spoken
unnatural (-næch´эr эl) •adj. not natural or normal; specif., a) contrary to, or at variance with, nature; abnormal; strange b) artificial, affected, or strained {an unnatural smile} c) characterized by a lack of the emotions, attitudes, or behavior regarded as natural, normal, or right d) abnormally evil or cruel SYN. IRREGULAR un·nat´u·ral·ly •adv. un·nat´u·ral·ness •n.
unnecessary (-nes´э ser'i:) •adj. not necessary or required; needless un·nec'es·sar´i·ly •adv.
unnerve (-nørv´) -nerved´, -nerv´ing •vt. 1 to cause to lose one's courage, self-confidence, etc. 2 to make feel weak, nervous, etc. SYN.—unnerve implies a causing to lose courage or self-control as by shocking, dismaying, etc. [the screams unnerved her]; enervate implies a gradual loss of strength or vitality, as because of climate, indolence, etc. [enervating heat]; unman implies a loss of manly courage, fortitude, or spirit [he was so unmanned by the news that he broke into tears]
unnumbered (-nûm´bэrd) •adj. 1 not counted 2 INNUMERABLE 3 having no identifying number
unoccupied (-äk´yэ paid') •adj. 1 having no occupant; vacant; empty 2 at leisure; idle
unorganized (-ör´gэ naizd') •adj. 1 having no organic structure 2 having no regular order, system, or organization 3 not behaving, thinking, etc. in an orderly way 4 not having or belonging to a labor union
unpack (-pæk´) •vt. 1 to open and remove the packed contents of 2 to take from a crate, trunk, etc. 3 to remove a pack or load from •vi. 1 to remove the contents of a packed trunk, suitcase, etc. 2 to admit of being unpacked
unpaged (-peijd´) •adj. having pages that are not numbered: said of a book, etc.
unparalleled (-pær´э leld') •adj. that has no parallel, equal, or counterpart; unmatched
unparliamentary (-pär'lэ men´tэr i:) •adj. contrary to parliamentary law or practice
unpeg (-peg´) -pegged´, -peg´ging •vt. 1 to remove a peg or pegs from 2 to unfasten or detach in this way
unpeople (-pi:´pэl) -pled, -pling •vt. to depopulate
unperson (ûn´pør'sэn) •n. a person completely ignored, as if nonexistent
unpin (ûn pin´) -pinned´, -pin´ning •vt. 1 to remove a pin or pins from 2 to unfasten or detach in this way
unpleasant (ûn plez´эnt) •adj. not pleasant; offensive; disagreeable un·pleas´ant·ly •adv.
unpleasantness (-nis) •n. 1 an unpleasant quality or condition 2 an unpleasant situation, relationship, etc. 3 a quarrel or disagreement
unplumbed (-plûmd´) •adj. 1 not sounded, measured, or explored with or as with a plumb 2 not fully plumbed, or understood
unpolled (-pould´) •adj. 1 not canvassed in a poll 2 not cast or registered: said of votes [UN- + pp. of POLL, v.]
unpopular (-päp´yэ lэr) •adj. not popular; not liked or approved of by the public or by the majority un'pop·u·lar´i·ty (-yэ lær´э ti:) •n.
unpracticed (-præk´tist) •adj. 1 not practiced; not habitually or repeatedly done, performed, etc. 2 not skilled or experienced
unprecedented (-pres´э den'tid) •adj. having no precedent or parallel; unheard-of; novel
unprejudiced (-prej´э dist) •adj. 1 without prejudice or bias; impartial 2 not affected detrimentally; unimpaired
unpremeditated (ûn'pri: med´э teit'id) •adj. not premeditated; done without plan or forethought
unprincipled (ûn prin´sэ pэld) •adj. characterized by lack of moral principles; unscrupulous
unprintable (-print´э bэl) •adj. not printable; not fit to be printed, as because of obscenity
unprofessional (ûn'prou fesh´э nэl) •adj. 1 violating the rules or ethical code of a given profession 2 not of, characteristic of, belonging to, or connected with a profession; nonprofessional un'pro·fes´sion·al·ly •adv.
unpublished (ûn pûb´lisht) •adj. not published; specif., a) in copyright law, designating a literary work that has neither been given public distribution nor been reproduced for sale, as of the time of registration b) UNLISTED (sense b)
unputdownable (ûn'put daun´э bэl) •adj. [Colloq.] designating a book regarded as being so suspenseful, gripping, etc. that a reader finds it very difficult to put down before finishing it
unqualified (-kwöl´э faid') •adj. 1 lacking the necessary or desirable qualifications; not fit 2 not limited or modified; absolute {an unqualified success} un·qual´i·fi'ed·ly (-fai'id li:) •adv.
unquestionable (-kwes´chэn э bэl) •adj. 1 not to be questioned, doubted, or disputed; certain 2 with no exception or qualification; unexceptionable un·ques´tion·a·bly •adv.
unquestioned (-kwes´chэnd) •adj. not questioned; specif., a) not interrogated b) not disputed; accepted c) not subjected to inquiry
unquestioning (-kwes´chэ niŋ) •adj. not doubting or disputing un·ques´tion·ing·ly •adv.
unquiet (-kwai´эt) •adj. not quiet; specif., a) full of turmoil; restless, disturbed, etc. b) anxious; uneasy •n. a lack of quiet or rest; disturbance, agitation, etc. un·qui´et·ly •adv. un·qui´et·ness •n.
unquote (ûn´kwout') •interj. Æ I end the quotation: used in speech to signal the conclusion of a quotation
unravel (ûn ræv´эl) -eled or -elled, -el·ing or -el·ling •vt. 1 to undo (something woven, tangled, or raveled up); untangle or separate the threads of 2 to make clear of confusion or involvement; solve •vi. to become unraveled un·rav´el·ment •n.
unread (-red´) •adj. 1 not read, as a book 2 having read little or nothing 3 unlearned (in a subject)
unreadable (-ri:d´э bэl) •adj. not readable; specif., a) not legible or decipherable b) too dull, difficult, etc. to be read with pleasure, comprehension, etc.
unready (-red´i:) •adj. not ready; specif., a) not prepared, as for action or use b) not prompt or alert; slow; hesitant un·read´i·ly •adv. un·read´i·ness •n.
unreal (-ri:´эl) •adj. not real, actual, or genuine; imaginary, fanciful, insubstantial, false, etc.
unrealistic (ûn'ri: эl is´tik) •adj. dealing with ideas or matters in a way that is not realistic; impractical or visionary un're·al·is´ti·cal·ly •adv.
unreality (-ri: æl´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the state or quality of being unreal 2 something unreal or imaginary 3 inability to deal with reality; impracticality
unreason (ûn ri:´zэn) •n. lack of reason; irrationality
unreasonable (-э bэl) •adj. not reasonable; specif., a) having or showing little sense or judgment; not rational b) excessive; immoderate; exorbitant SYN. IRRATIONAL un·rea´son·a·ble·ness •n. un·rea´son·a·bly •adv.
unreasoning (-iŋ) •adj. not reasoning or reasoned; marked by a lack of reason or judgment; irrational un·rea´son·ing·ly •adv.
unreconstructed (ûn'ri:'kэn strûk´tid) •adj. 1 not reconstructed 2 holding to an earlier, outmoded practice or point of view
unreel (ûn ri:l´) •vt., vi. to unwind as from a reel
unreeve (ûn ri:v´) -rove´ or -reeved´, -reev´ing •vt. Naut. to withdraw (a line) from a block, ring, etc.
unregenerate (ûn'ri jen´эr it) •adj. 1 not regenerate; not spiritually reborn or converted 2 not converted to a particular belief, viewpoint, etc. 3 recalcitrant or obstinate Also un're·gen´er·at'ed un're·gen´er·ate·ly •adv.
unrelenting (-ri lent´iŋ) •adj. 1 refusing to yield or relent; inflexible; relentless 2 without mercy or compassion 3 not relaxing or slackening, as in effort, speed, etc.
unreligious (-ri lij´эs) •adj. 1 IRRELIGIOUS 2 not connected with or involving religion; nonreligious
unremitting (-ri mit´iŋ) •adj. not stopping, relaxing, or slackening; incessant; persistent
unreserve (-ri zørv´) •n. lack of reserve; frankness
unreserved (-ri zørvd´) •adj. not reserved; specif., a) frank or open in speech or behavior b) not restricted or qualified; unlimited c) not set aside for advance sale {unreserved seats} un're·serv´ed·ly (-zør´vid li:) •adv.
unrest (ûn rest´) •n. a troubled or disturbed state; restlessness; disquiet; uneasiness; specif., a condition of angry discontent and protest verging on revolt
unriddle (-rid´ªl) -dled, -dling •vt. to solve or explain (a riddle, mystery, etc.)
unrig (-rig´) -rigged´, -rig´ging •vt. to strip of rigging, or of equipment, clothes, etc.
unrighteous (-rai´chэs) •adj. 1 not righteous; wicked; sinful 2 not right; unjust; unfair un·right´eous·ly •adv. un·right´eous·ness •n.
unrip (-rip´) -ripped´, -rip´ping •vt. 1 to rip open; take apart or detach by ripping 2 [Now Rare] to make known
unripe (-raip´) •adj. 1 not ripe or mature; green 2 not yet fully developed {unripe plans} 3 [Obs.] premature: said esp. of a death un·ripe´ness •n.
unrivaled or unrivalled (-raiv´эld) •adj. having no rival, equal, or competitor; matchless; peerless
unroll (-roul´) •vt. 1 to open or extend (something rolled up) 2 to present to view; display 3 [Obs.] to remove from a roll or list •vi. to become unrolled
unroof (-ru:f´) •vt. to take off the roof or covering of
unroot (-ru:t´) •vt. UPROOT
unround (-raund´) •vt. Phonet. 1 to pronounce (a vowel usually rounded) without rounding of the lips 2 to keep (the lips) from being rounded, as in pronouncing the vowel in she un·round´ed •adj.
unrove (-rouv´) •vt., vi. alt. pt. & pp. of UNREEVE
unruffled (ûn rûf´эld) •adj. not ruffled, disturbed, or agitated; calm; smooth; serene SYN. COOL
unruly (-ru:l´i:) -rul´i·er, -rul´i·est •adj. hard to control, restrain, or keep in order; disobedient, disorderly, etc. un·rul´i·ness •n. [ME unruely < un-, not + reuly, orderly < reule, RULE]
unsaddle (-sæd´ªl) -dled, -dling •vt. 1 to take the saddle off (a horse, etc.) 2 to throw from the saddle; unhorse •vi. to take the saddle off a horse, etc.
unsaid (-sed´) •vt. pt. & pp. of UNSAY •adj. not expressed
unsaturated (-sæch´э reit'id) •adj. 1 not saturated 2 Chem. a) designating or of a compound in which some element possesses the capacity of combining further with other elements b) designating or of a solution that is not in equilibrium with the undissolved solute c) designating an organic compound with a double or triple bond that links two atoms, usually of carbon un'sat·u·ra´tion •n.
unsavory (-sei´vэr i:) •adj. 1 orig., without flavor; tasteless 2 unpleasant to taste or smell 3 unpleasant or offensive, esp. so as to seem immoral un·sa´vor·i·ly •adv. un·sa´vor·i·ness •n.
unsay (-sei´) -said´, -say´ing •vt. to take back or retract (what has been said)
unscathed (-skeiðd´) •adj. not hurt; unharmed [see SCATHE]
unschooled (-sku:ld´) •adj. 1 not educated or trained, esp. by formal schooling 2 not acquired or altered by schooling; natural
unscramble (-skræm´bэl) -bled, -bling •vt. 1 to cause to be no longer scrambled, disordered, or mixed up 2 Electronics to make (incoming scrambled signals) intelligible at the receiver un·scram´bler •n.
unscrew (-skru:´) •vt. 1 to remove a screw or screws from 2 a) to remove, detach, or loosen by removing a screw or screws, or by turning b) to remove a threaded top, cover, etc. from (a jar, etc.) •vi. to become unscrewed or admit of being unscrewed
unscrupulous (-skru:´pyэ lэs) •adj. not scrupulous; not restrained by ideas of right and wrong; unprincipled un·scru´pu·lous·ly •adv. un·scru´pu·lous·ness •n.
unseal (-si:l´) •vt. 1 to break or remove the seal of 2 to open (something sealed or closed as if sealed)
unseam (-si:m´) •vt. to open the seam or seams of; rip
unsearchable (-sørch´э bэl) •adj. that cannot be searched into; mysterious; inscrutable un·search´a·bly •adv.
unseasonable (-si:´zэn э bэl) •adj. 1 not usual for or appropriate to the season {unseasonable heat} 2 not in season {unseasonable seafood} 3 coming, said, etc. at the wrong time; untimely; inopportune un·sea´son·a·ble·ness •n. un·sea´son·a·bly •adv.
unseasoned (-si:´zэnd) •adj. not seasoned; specif., a) not ripened, dried, etc. by enough seasoning {unseasoned wood} b) not matured by experience; inexperienced c) not flavored with seasoning
unseat (-si:t´) •vt. 1 to throw or dislodge from a seat; specif., UNHORSE 2 to remove from office, deprive of rank, etc.
unsecured (ûn'si kyurd´) •adj. 1 not made secure or firm; not kept firmly in place 2 not secured or guaranteed, as by collateral {an unsecured loan}
unseemly (ûn si:m´li:) •adj. not seemly; not decent or proper; unbecoming; indecorous •adv. in an unseemly manner SYN. IMPROPER un·seem´li·ness •n.
unseen (-si:n´) •adj. 1 not seen, perceived, or observed; invisible 2 not noticed or discovered 3 not seen or prepared for in advance
unselfish (-self´ish) •adj. not selfish; putting the good of others above one's own interests; altruistic; generous un·self´ish·ly •adv. un·self´ish·ness •n.
unset (-set´) •adj. not set; specif., a) not mounted in a setting {an unset gem} b) not yet hardened {unset cement}
unsettle (-set´ªl) -tled, -tling •vt. to make unsettled, insecure, or unstable; disturb, displace, disarrange, or disorder •vi. to become unsettled un·set´tle·ment •n.
unsettled (-set´ªld) •adj. 1 not settled or orderly; disordered 2 not stable or fixed; changeable; uncertain 3 not decided or determined 4 not paid, allotted, or otherwise disposed of {an unsettled debt or estate} Æ 5 having no settlers; unpopulated 6 not established in a place or abode un·set´tled·ness •n.
unsex (-seks´) •vt. 1 to deprive of sexual power 2 to deprive of the qualities considered characteristic of one's sex; esp., to make unwomanly
unshackle (-shæk´эl) -led, -ling •vt. 1 to loosen or remove the shackles from 2 to free
unshapen (-shei´pэn) •adj. 1 without shape; shapeless 2 badly shaped; misshapen; malformed [ME]
unsheathe (-shi:ð´) -sheathed´, -sheath´ing •vt. to draw or remove (a sword, knife, etc.) from or as if from a sheath
unship (-ship´) -shipped´, -ship´ping •vt. 1 to unload from a ship 2 to remove (an oar, mast, etc.) from the proper position for use •vi. to become detached [ME unshippen: see UN- & SHIP]
unsightly (-sait´li:) •adj. not sightly; not pleasant to look at; ugly un·sight´li·ness •n.
unskilled (-skild´) •adj. not skilled; specif., a) having no special skill or training b) requiring or using no special skill or training {unskilled labor} c) showing a lack of skill
unskillful (-skil´fэl) •adj. not skillful; having little or no skill or dexterity; awkward un·skill´ful·ly •adv. un·skill´ful·ness •n.
unsling (-sliŋ´) -slung´, -sling´ing •vt. 1 to take (a rifle, etc.) from a slung position 2 Naut. to release from slings
unsnap (-snæp´) -snapped´, -snap´ping •vt. to undo the snap or snaps of, so as to loosen or detach
unsnarl (-snärl´) •vt. to free of snarls; untangle
unsociable (-sou´shэ bэl) •adj. 1 avoiding association with others; not sociable or friendly 2 not conducive to sociability un·so'cia·bil´i·ty or un·so´cia·ble·ness •n. un·so´cia·bly •adv.
unsocial (-sou´shэl) •adj. having or showing a dislike for the society of others un·so´cial·ly •adv. SYN.—unsocial implies an aversion to the society or company of others [an unsocial neighbor]; asocial implies complete indifference to the interests, welfare, etc. of society and connotes abnormal or irresponsible self-centeredness [the frequent asocial behavior of very young children]; antisocial applies to that which is believed to be detrimental to or destructive of the social order, social institutions, etc. [the anarchist's antisocial teachings]; nonsocial expresses simple absence of social relationship [nonsocial fields of interest] —ANT. social
unsolder (-säd´эr) •vt. 1 to take apart (things soldered together) 2 to disunite; separate; sunder
unsophisticated (ûn'sэ fis´tэ keit'id) •adj. not sophisticated; specif., a) artless, simple, ingenuous, etc. b) not complex, refined, developed, etc. c) not adulterated; genuine or pure SYN. NAIVE un'so·phis´ti·cat'ed·ly •adv. un'so·phis'ti·ca´tion •n.
unsound (ûn saund´) •adj. not sound or free from defect; specif., a) not normal or healthy physically or mentally b) not safe, firm, or solid; insecure c) not safe and secure financially d) not based on truth or valid reasoning; not accurate, reliable, sensible, etc. e) light (said of sleep) un·sound´ly •adv. un·sound´ness •n.
unsparing (-sper´iŋ) •adj. 1 not sparing or stinting; lavish; liberal; profuse 2 not merciful or forgiving; severe un·spar´ing·ly •adv.
unspeak (-spi:k´) -spoke´, -spok´en, -speak´ing •vt. [Obs.] to unsay, or retract
unspeakable (-spi:k´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be spoken 2 marvelous, awesome, etc.; beyond human expression; ineffable 3 so bad, evil, etc. as to defy description un·speak´a·bly •adv.
unsphere (-sfir´) -sphered´, -spher´ing •vt. to remove from its sphere or from one's sphere
unstable (-stei´bэl) •adj. not stable; specif., a) not fixed, firm, or steady; easily upset or unbalanced b) changeable; variable; fluctuating c) unreliable; fickle d) emotionally unsettled e) Chem. tending to decompose or change into other compounds SYN. INCONSTANT un·sta´ble·ness •n. un·sta´bly •adv. [ME]
unsteady (-sted´i:) •adj. not steady; specif., a) not firm or stable; shaky b) changeable; inconstant; wavering c) erratic in habits, purpose, or behavior •vt. -stead´ied, -stead´y·ing to make unsteady un·stead´i·ly •adv. un·stead´i·ness •n.
unsteel (-sti:l´) •vt. to deprive of strength, resoluteness, etc.
unstep (-step´) -stepped´, -step´ping •vt. Naut. to remove (a mast) from its step or socket
unstick (-stik´) -stuck´, -stick´ing •vt. to loosen or free (something stuck)
unstop (-stäp´) -stopped´, -stop´ping •vt. 1 to remove the stopper from 2 to clear (a pipe, etc.) of a stoppage or obstruction; open [ME unstoppen: see UN- & STOP]
unstrap (-stræp´) -strapped´, -strap´ping •vt. to loosen or remove the strap or straps of
unstring (-striŋ´) -strung´, -string´ing •vt. 1 to loosen or remove the string or strings of 2 to remove from a string 3 to loosen; relax 4 to cause to be unstrung; make nervous, weak, upset, etc.
unstructured (-strûk´chэrd) •adj. not formally or systematically organized; loose, free, open, etc.
unstrung (-strûŋ´) •vt. pt. & pp. of UNSTRING •adj. 1 nervous or upset; unnerved 2 having the string or strings loosened or detached, as a bow, racket, etc.
unstuck (-stûk´) •vt. pt. & pp. of UNSTICK •adj. loosened or freed from being stuck
unstudied (-stûd´i:d) •adj. 1 not got by study or conscious effort 2 spontaneous; natural; unaffected 3 not having studied; unlearned or unversed (in)
unsubstantial (ûn'sэb stæn´shэl) •adj. not substantial; specif., a) having no material substance b) not solid or heavy; flimsy; light c) unreal; visionary un'sub·stan'ti·al´i·ty (-stæn'shi: æl´э ti:) •n. un'sub·stan´tial·ly •adv.
unsuitable (ûn su:t´э bэl) •adj. not suitable; unbecoming; inappropriate un·suit'a·bil´i·ty •n. un·suit´a·bly •adv.
unsung (ûn sûŋ´) •adj. 1 not sung 2 not honored or celebrated, as in song or poetry [LME unsonge]
unsuspected (ûn'sэ spek´tid) •adj. not suspected; specif., a) not under suspicion b) not imagined to be existent, probable, etc. un'sus·pect´ed·ly •adv.
unswathe (ûn swäð´) -swathed´, -swath´ing •vt. to remove a swathe or wrappings from
unswear (-swer´) -swore´, -sworn´, -swear´ing •vt., vi. to recant or take back (something sworn to), as by another oath; abjure
untangle (-tæŋ´gэl) -gled, -gling •vt. 1 to free from a snarl or tangle; disentangle 2 to free from confusion; clear up; put in order
untaught (-töt´) •vt. pt. & pp. of UNTEACH •adj. 1 not taught or instructed; uneducated; ignorant 2 acquired without being taught; natural [ME untaght]
unteach (-ti:ch´) -taught´, -teach´ing •vt. 1 to try to make forget something learned, as in the process of reeducation 2 to teach the opposite of
untenable (-ten´э bэl) •adj. 1 that cannot be held, defended, or maintained 2 incapable of being tenanted or occupied un'ten·a·bil´i·ty or un·ten´a·ble·ness •n.
Untermeyer (ûn´tэr mai'эr), Louis 1885-1977; U.S. poet, anthologist, & critic
Unterwalden (un´tэř väl'dэn) former canton of central Switzerland: now divided into two cantons, NIDWALDEN & OBWALDEN
unthankful (ûn θæŋk´fэl) •adj. 1 not thankful; ungrateful 2 thankless; unappreciated un·thank´ful·ly •adv. un·thank´ful·ness •n.
unthink (-θiŋk´) -thought´, -think´ing •vt. to rid one's mind of, or change one's mind about
unthinkable (-θiŋk´э bэl) •adj. 1 not thinkable; too great, too many, etc. to be imagined; inconceivable 2 not to be considered; impossible un·think´a·bly •adv. [ME unthenkable]
unthinking (-θiŋk´iŋ) •adj. 1 a) not stopping to think; heedless b) showing lack of thought, attention, or consideration 2 lacking the ability to think; nonrational un·think´ing·ly •adv.
unthread (-θred´) •vt. 1 to remove the thread or threads from 2 to disentangle; unravel 3 to find one's way through (a labyrinth, etc.)
unthrone (-θroun´) -throned´, -thron´ing •vt. DETHRONE
untidy (-taid´i:) -di·er, -di·est •adj. not tidy; not neat or in good order; slovenly; messy un·ti´di·ly •adv. un·ti´di·ness •n. [ME untydi]
untie (-tai´) -tied´, -ty´ing or -tie´ing •vt. 1 to loosen, undo, or unfasten (something tied or knotted) 2 to free, as from difficulty, restraint, etc. 3 to resolve (perplexities, etc.) •vi. to become untied [ME unteien < OE untigan: see UN- & TIE]
until (ûn til´, эn-) •prep. 1 up to the time of; till (a specified time or occurrence) {until payday} 2 before (a specified time or occurrence): used with a negative {not until tomorrow} 3 [Scot.] to or toward conj. 1 up to the time when or that {until you leave} 2 to the point, degree, or place that {heat water until it boils} 3 before: used with a negative {not until he tells you} [ME untill < un- (see UNTO) + till, to, TILL¹]
untimely (ûn taim´li:) •adj. 1 coming, said, done, etc. before the usual or expected time; premature {to come to an untimely end} 2 coming, said, done, etc. at the wrong time; poorly timed; inopportune •adv. 1 prematurely 2 inopportunely un·time´li·ness •n.
untitled (-tait´ªld) •adj. 1 not having a title {an untitled book, untitled nobility} 2 having no right or claim
unto (ûn´tu:, -tu) •prep. old poet. var. of: 1 TO 2 UNTIL [ME < un-, until, akin to ON unz (< und es), Goth und < IE *nti < base *ant-, front, fore (> Gr anti, L ante, before) + ME to, TO]
untold (ûn tould´) •adj. 1 not told, related, or revealed 2 too great or too numerous to be counted or measured; incalculable {untold wealth} 3 indescribably great or intense {untold misery} [ME untald < OE unteald]
untouchable (ûn tûch´э bэl) •adj. that cannot or should not be touched •n. 1 an untouchable person or thing 2 in India, any member of the lowest castes, whose touch was regarded as defiling to higher-caste Hindus: discrimination against these people (now called Scheduled Castes) was officially abolished in 1955 un'touch·a·bil´i·ty •n.
untoward (ûn tou´эrd, -törd´) •adj. 1 inappropriate, improper, unseemly, etc. {an untoward remark} 2 not favorable or fortunate; adverse, inauspicious, etc. {untoward circumstances} 3 [Archaic] stubborn or unruly 4 [Obs.] awkward; clumsy [UN- + TOWARD]
untracked (ûn trækt´) •adj. [Colloq.] performing in a manner regarded as normal or characteristic, as after having been in a slump
untraveled or untravelled (ûn træv´эld) •adj. 1 not used or frequented by travelers: said of a road, etc. 2 not having done much traveling, esp. to far places
untread (-tred´) -trod´, -trod´den or -trod´, -tread´ing •vt. [Archaic] to retrace (a path, one's steps, etc.)
untried (-traid´) •adj. 1 not tried; not attempted, tested, or proved 2 not tried in court
untrue (-tru:´) •adj. 1 contrary to fact or truth; false or incorrect 2 not agreeing with a standard, rule, or measure 3 not faithful or loyal un·tru´ly •adv. [ME untrewe < OE untreowe; un-, not + treowe, TRUE]
untruss (-trûs´) •vt. 1 to release as from being trussed up 2 [Obs.] to undress
untruth (-tru:θ´) •n. 1 the quality or state of being untrue; falsity 2 an untrue statement; falsehood; lie 3 [Obs.] unfaithfulness or disloyalty [ME untrouthe < OE untreowth < un-, not + treowth, TRUTH]
untruthful (-tru:θ´fэl) •adj. 1 not in accordance with the truth; untrue 2 given to telling untruths; likely to tell lies SYN. DISHONEST un·truth´ful·ly •adv. un·truth´ful·ness •n.
untuck (-tûk´) •vt. to undo a tuck or tucks in; free from a tuck or fold
untutored (-tu:t´эrd) •adj. 1 not tutored or taught; uneducated 2 simple; naive; unsophisticated SYN. IGNORANT
untwine (-twain´) -twined´, -twin´ing •vt. to undo (something twined or twisted); disentangle or unwind •vi. to become untwined [ME untwynen]
untwist (-twist´) •vt., vi. to turn in the opposite direction so as to loosen or separate; untwine
unused (-yu:zd´; for sense 3, with the following to'', -yu:s´tэ, -yu:s´tu) •adj. 1 not used; not in use 2 that has never been used 3 unaccustomed (to)
unusual (-yu:´zhu: эl) •adj. not usual or common; rare; exceptional un·u´su·al·ly •adv. un·u´su·al·ness •n.
unutterable (-ût´эr э bэl) •adj. 1 [Rare] that cannot easily be pronounced 2 that cannot be expressed or described; inexpressible un·ut´ter·a·bly •adv.
unvarnished (-vär´nisht) •adj. 1 not varnished 2 plain; simple; unadorned {the unvarnished truth}
unveil (ûn veil´) •vt. to reveal or make visible by or as by removing a veil or covering from; disclose •vi. to take off a veil or covering; reveal oneself
unveiling (-iŋ) •n. a formal or ceremonial removal of a covering from a new statue, tombstone, etc.
unvoice (ûn vois´) -voiced´, -voic´ing •vt. Phonet. to make (a normally voiced sound) voiceless by uttering the corresponding voiceless sound; make surd {to unvoice the s in has when saying has to}
unvoiced (-voist´) •adj. 1 not expressed; not spoken or uttered 2 Phonet. made voiceless; surd
unwary (-wer´i:) •adj. not wary; not watchful or cautious; not alert to possible danger, trickery, etc. un·war´i·ly •adv. un·war´i·ness •n.
unwearied (-wir´i:d) •adj. 1 not weary or tired 2 never wearying; tireless; indefatigable [ME unweried (see UN- & WEARY), for OE ungewerged]
unwell (-wel´) •adj. not well; ailing; ill; sick
unwept (-wept´) •adj. 1 not shed {unwept tears} 2 not wept for; unmourned
unwholesome (-houl´sэm) •adj. not wholesome; specif., a) harmful to body or mind; unhealthful b) having unsound health or an unhealthy appearance c) morally harmful or corrupt un·whole´some·ly •adv. un·whole´some·ness •n. [ME unholsom]
unwieldy (-wi:l´di:) •adj. 1 hard to wield, manage, handle, or deal with, as because of large size or weight, or awkward form 2 [Now Rare] awkward; clumsy un·wield´i·ness •n.
unwilling (-wil´iŋ) •adj. 1 not willing or inclined; reluctant; loath; averse 2 done, said, given, etc. reluctantly un·will´ing·ly •adv. un·will´ing·ness •n. [altered (in 16th c.) < ME unwilland < OE unwillende < un-, not + prp. of willan: see WILL²]
unwind (-waind´) -wound´, -wind´ing •vt. 1 to wind off or undo (something wound) 2 UNCOIL 3 to straighten out or untangle (something confused or involved) 4 to make relaxed, less tense, etc. •vi. 1 to become unwound 2 to become relaxed, less tense, etc. [ME unwinden < OE unwindan]
unwise (-waiz´) •adj. having or showing a lack of wisdom or sound judgment; foolish; imprudent un·wise´ly •adv. [ME < OE unwis: see UN- & WISE¹]
unwish (-wish´) •vt. 1 a) to retract (a wish) b) to stop wishing for 2 [Obs.] to do away with by wishing
unwitting (-wit´iŋ) •adj. 1 not knowing; unaware 2 not intended; unintentional un·wit´ting·ly •adv. [ME unwiting, altered < OE unwitende < un-, not + prp. of witan, to know: see WIT²]
unwonted (-wän´tid) •adj. 1 not common, usual, or habitual; rare {to speak with unwonted severity} 2 [Archaic] not accustomed or used: usually with to un·wont´ed·ly •adv. [UN- + WONTED]
unworldly (-wørld´li:) •adj. 1 not of or limited to this world; unearthly 2 not concerned with the affairs, pleasures, etc. of this world 3 not worldly-wise; unsophisticated un·world´li·ness •n.
unworthy (-wør´ði:) -thi·er, -thi·est •adj. 1 lacking merit or value; worthless 2 not deserving: often with of 3 not fit or becoming: usually with of {a remark unworthy of a gentleman} 4 not deserved or warranted un·wor´thi·ly •adv. un·wor´thi·ness •n. [ME]
unwound (-waund´) •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of UNWIND
unwrap (-ræp´) -wrapped´, -wrap´ping •vt. to take off the wrapping of; open or undo (something wrapped) •vi. to become unwrapped
unwritten (-rit´ªn) •adj. 1 not in writing; not written or printed 2 operating only through custom or tradition {an unwritten rule} 3 not written on; blank
unwritten law 1 law originating in custom, usage, court decisions, etc., rather than in the action of any lawmaking body 2 the traditionally assumed rule that a man may, with impunity, criminally assault the seducer or raper of his wife or daughter
unyoke (-youk´) -yoked´, -yok´ing •vt. 1 to release from a yoke 2 to separate or disconnect •vi. 1 to become unyoked 2 to remove a yoke 3 [Obs.] to stop working [ME unyoken < OE ungeocian]
unzip (-zip´) -zipped´, -zip´ping •vt., vi. 1 to open (a zipper) 2 to separate the edges of (a garment, etc.) by opening a zipper
up- (ûp) combining form up {upbraid, upbringing} [ME < OE, identical with up, UP¹]
up¹ (ûp) •adv. 1 from a lower to a higher place; away from or out of the ground 2 in or on a higher position or level; off the ground, or from a position below to one at the surface of the earth or water 3 in a direction or place thought of as higher or above 4 above the horizon 5 to a later period {from childhood up} 6 to a higher or better condition or station 7 to a higher amount, greater degree, etc. {with prices going up} 8 a) in or into a standing or upright position b) out of bed 9 in or into existence, action, view, evidence, consideration, etc. {to bring a matter up} 10 into an excited or troubled state {to get worked up} 11 aside; away; by {lay up grain for the winter} 12 so as to be even with in space, time, degree, etc. {keep up with the times} 13 so as to be tightly closed, bound, packed, etc. {tie up the package} 14 to the point of completeness; entirely; thoroughly {eat up the pie} 15 so as to stop {to rein up a horse} Æ 16 Baseball to one's turn at batting; at bat 17 Naut. to windward {put up the helm} 18 Sports, Games ahead of an opponent with reference to the number of points, goals, strokes, etc. Æ 19 [Colloq.] served without ice cubes; not on the rocks: said of a cocktail 20 used with verbs: a) to form idiomatic combinations with a meaning different from the meaning of the simple verbs {look up this word; he didn't turn up} b) as an intensive {dress up, eat up, clean up} c) as a virtually meaningless element added, esp. colloquially, to almost any verb {light up a cigarette, write up a story} •prep. 1 to, toward, or at a higher place on or in 2 to, toward, or at a higher condition or station on or in {up the social ladder} 3 at, along, or toward the higher or more distant part of {up the road} 4 toward the source of, or against the current, flow, or movement of (a river, the wind, etc.) 5 in or toward the interior or more northerly part of (a country, territory, etc.) •adj. 1 tending or directed toward a position that is higher or is regarded as being higher 2 a) in a higher position, condition, or station b) mounted on a horse or horses 3 a) above the ground b) above the horizon 4 advanced in amount, degree, etc. {rents are up} 5 a) in a standing or upright position b) out of bed 6 in an active, excited, or agitated state {her anger was up} 7 even with in space, time, degree, etc. 8 living or located in the inner or elevated part of a country, territory, etc. 9 at an end; over {time is up} Æ 10 at stake in gambling {to have two dollars up on a horse} 11 working properly and available for use: said esp. of a computer 12 [Colloq.] going on; happening {what's up?} Æ 13 Baseball having one's turn at batting; at bat 14 Golf on the green near the hole: said of the ball 15 Sports, Games ahead of an opponent with reference to the number of points, goals, strokes, etc. As an adjective, up is usually predicative •n. 1 a person or thing that is up, moves upward, etc.; specif., a) an upward slope b) an upward movement or course c) a period or state of prosperity, good luck, etc. Æ 2 [Slang] an amphetamine or other stimulant drug; upper •vi. upped, up´ping [Colloq.] to get up; rise: sometimes used colloquially in the uninflected form to emphasize another, following verb {he up and left} •vt. [Colloq.] 1 to put up, lift up, or take up 2 to bring to a higher level or cause to rise {to up prices} 3 to raise, or bet more than (a preceding bet or bettor) it's all up with there is no further hope for; the end is near for Æ on the up and up [Slang] open and aboveboard; honest Æ up against [Colloq.] face to face with; confronted with Æ up against it [Colloq.] in difficulty; esp., in financial difficulty up and around (or about) out of bed and resuming one's normal activities, as after an illness up and doing busy; active up for 1 presented or considered for (an elective office, an election, sale, auction, etc.) 2 before a court on (trial) or for (some charge) Æ 3 [Colloq.] willing to attend, take part in, etc. (an event, activity, etc.) up on (or in) [Colloq.] well-informed concerning ups and downs good periods and bad periods up to [Colloq.] 1 occupied with; doing; scheming; devising {up to no good} 2 equal to (a task, challenge, etc.); capable of (doing, undertaking, etc.) 3 as many as {up to four may play} 4 as far as {up to now, up to his hips} Æ 5 dependent upon; incumbent upon {entirely up to her} up to the ears (or eyes or neck, etc.) very deeply: said of involvement in work, debt, trouble, etc. up with! give or restore power, favor, etc. to! [ME < OE up, uppe, akin to Ger auf, ON upp < IE *upo, up from below > SUB-, HYPO-, OVER]
up² (ûp) •adv. Sports, Games apiece; each: used to indicate a score just recently tied {the score is seven up} [phonetic respelling of AP(IECE), infl. by prec.]
up-and-coming (ûp´эn kûm´iŋ) •adj. 1 enterprising, alert, and promising 2 gaining in importance or status
up-and-down (-daun´) •adj. 1 going alternately up and down, to and fro, etc. 2 variable; fluctuating 3 vertical
Upanishads (u: pæn´i shædz', u: pän´i shædz'; yu:-) a group of late Vedic metaphysical treatises dealing with man in relation to the universe [Sans upanisad]
upas (yu:´pэs) •n. 1 a tall Javanese tree (Antiaris toxicaria) of the mulberry family, whose whitish bark yields a poisonous, milky juice used as an arrow poison 2 the juice of this tree 3 something harmful or deadly in its influence [short for Malay pohon upas, lit., poison tree (< Javanese upas, plant poison)]
upbeat (ûp´bi:t') •n. 1 an upward trend; upswing 2 Music a) an unaccented beat, esp. when on the last note of a bar b) the upward stroke of a conductor's hand or baton indicating such a beat •adj. [Colloq.] lively; cheerful; optimistic
upbow (ûp´bou') •n. a stroke on a violin, cello, etc. in which the bow is moved across the strings from the tip to the frog of the bow: symbol (ˇ)
upbraid (ûp breid´) •vt. to rebuke severely or bitterly; censure sharply SYN. SCOLD [ME upbreiden < OE upbregdan < up-, UP- + bregdan, to pull: see BRAID]
upbringing (ûp´briŋ'iŋ) •n. the training and education received while growing up; rearing; nurture [ger. of obs. upbring, to rear, train (< ME upbryngen: see UP- & BRING)]
upbuild (ûp bild´) -built´, -build´ing •vt. to build up
UPC Universal Product Code
upcast (ûp´kæst') •n. 1 something cast or thrown up 2 Geol. UPTHROW (sense 2) 3 Mining a ventilating shaft for returning air to the surface •adj. 1 thrown upward 2 directed upward
upchuck (-chûk') •vi., vt., n. [Slang] VOMIT
upcoming (-kûm'iŋ) •adj. coming soon; forthcoming
upcountry (-kûn'tri:) •adj. of or located in the interior of a country; inland •n. the interior of a country •adv. Æ in or toward the interior of a country
update (ûp deit´; also, and for n.always, ûp´deit') -dat´ed, -dat´ing •vt. to bring up to date; make conform to the most recent facts, methods, ideas, etc. •n. 1 an act or instance of updating 2 an updated account, report, etc.
Updike (ûp´daik'), John (Hoyer) 1932- ; U.S. novelist
updraft (ûp´dræft') •n. an upward air current
upend (ûp end´) •vt., vi. 1 to set or turn on end 2 to upset or topple
upfront (ûp´frûnt´) [Colloq.] •adj. 1 very honest or forthright; open; candid 2 in or into the public eye; conspicuous {an upfront position} 3 invested, paid, etc., ahead of time; at the beginning {an upfront payment of $21,000} •adv. ahead of time; in advance {to pay for something upfront} Also up´-front´ or up front
upgrade (ûp´greid'; for v. usually ûp greid´) •n. 1 an upward slope, esp. in a road 2 an improvement or enhancement of the condition, status, etc. of a person or thing •adj., adv. uphill; upward •vt. -grad´ed, -grad´ing 1 to promote to a more skilled job at higher pay 2 to raise in importance, value, esteem, etc. •vi. to enhance or improve one's condition, status, capabilities, etc. on the upgrade gaining in status, influence, health, etc.
upgrowth (ûp´grouθ') •n. 1 upward growth; rise or development 2 anything produced by this
upheaval (ûp hi:´vэl) •n. 1 a heaving up, as of part of the earth's crust by an earthquake 2 a sudden, violent change
upheave (ûp hi:v´) -heaved´ or -hove´, -heav´ing •vt. to heave or lift up •vi. to rise as if forced up up·heav´er •n.
uphill (ûp´hil´) •adv. 1 toward the top of a hill or incline; upward 2 with difficulty; laboriously •adj. 1 going or sloping up; rising 2 calling for prolonged effort; laborious 3 located on high ground •n. a sloping rise or ascent
uphold (ûp hould´) -held´, -hold´ing •vt. 1 to hold up; raise 2 to keep from falling; support 3 to give moral or spiritual support or encouragement to 4 to decide in favor of; agree with and support against opposition; sustain SYN. SUPPORT up·hold´er •n.
upholster (ûp houl´stэr) •vt. to fit out (furniture, etc.) with covering material, padding, springs, etc. [back-form. < fol.]
upholsterer (-stэr эr) •n. a person whose business is upholstering furniture [altered < ME upholdster, altered < upholder, dealer in small or secondhand wares < upholden, to repair (< up-, UP- + holden, to keep, HOLD¹): see -STER]
upholstery (-stэr i:) pl. -ster·ies •n. 1 the fittings and material used in upholstering 2 the business or work of an upholsterer [see UPHOLSTERER & -ERY]
UPI United Press International
upkeep (ûp´ki:p') •n. 1 the act of keeping up buildings, equipment, etc.; maintenance 2 the cost of this 3 state of repair
upland (-lэnd, -lænd') •n. land elevated above other land, as above land along a river •adj. of or situated in upland Upland (ûp´lэnd) city in SW Calif., near San Bernardino: pop. 63,000 [descriptive]
upland cotton any of various, mostly short-staple, cottons (Gossypium hirsutum) of the U.S., China, etc.
upland sandpiper a large, short-billed sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) found in the fields and uplands of the interior of North and South America: formerly called upland plover
uplift (ûp lift´; for n. ûp´lift') •vt. 1 to lift up, or elevate 2 to raise to a higher moral, social, or cultural level or condition Æ n. 1 the act or process of lifting up; elevation 2 a) the act or process of raising to a higher moral, social, or cultural level b) any influence, movement, etc. intended to improve society morally, culturally, etc. 3 a brassiere designed to lift and support the breasts: in full uplift brassiere 4 Geol. a) a raising of land above the surrounding area b) land so raised up·lift´er •n. up·lift´ment •n.
uplink (ûp´liŋk') •n. 1 a channel used to transmit (a signal) from the earth's surface to a satellite, spacecraft, etc. 2 the site, facility, etc. from which such a signal is transmitted
upmanship (ûp´mэn ship') •n. [Colloq.] short for ONE-UPMANSHIP
up-market (ûp´mär'kit) •adj. UPSCALE
upmost (ûp´moust') •adj. [Colloq.] UPPERMOST
Upolu (u: pou´lu:) smaller of the two main islands of Western Samoa: 435 sq. mi. (1,126 sq. km); pop. 109,000: cf. SAVAII
upon (э pän´, э pön´) •prep. on (in various senses), or up and on: on and upon are generally interchangeable, the choice being governed by idiom, sentence rhythm, etc. •adv. 1 on: used only for completing a verb {a canvas not painted upon} 2 [Obs.] on it; on one's person 3 [Obs.] thereupon; thereafter [ME < up, UP¹ + on, ON, prob. infl. by ON upp á (< upp, upward + á, on)]
upper (ûp´эr) •adj. 1 in a place or on a level above another {upper lip} 2 higher in rank, authority, or dignity {the upper classes} 3 being farther north, farther inland, or at a higher elevation of land {the upper St. Lawrence} 4 [U-] Archaeol., Geol. more recent; later: used of a division of a period [Upper Cambrian, Upper Paleolithic] •n. 1 the part of a shoe or boot above the sole Æ 2 [Colloq.] an upper berth, as in a Pullman car 3 [pl.] [Colloq.] the upper teeth or dentures 4 [Slang] any drug containing a stimulant; esp., an amphetamine Æ on one's uppers [Colloq.] in need or want: with reference to wearing shoes with wornout soles [ME, compar. of up, UP¹]
upper bound Math. a number that is greater than or equal to any number in a set
Upper Canada old name of (1791-1841) ONTARIO (Canada)
upper class the social class above the middle class; rich, socially prominent, or aristocratic class up´per-class' •adj.
upper crust Æ [Colloq.] UPPER CLASS
upper hand the position of advantage or control
upper house [often U- H-] in a legislature having two branches, that branch which is usually smaller and less representative, as the Senate of the U.S. Congress
Upper Peninsula NW section of Mich., a peninsula separated from the rest of the State by the Straits of Mackinac: 16,538 sq. mi. (42,833 sq. km)
Upper Volta (väl´tэ, völ´-, voul´-) old name of BURKINA FASO
uppercase (ûp´эr keis') •n. capital-letter type used in printing, as distinguished from small letters (lowercase) •adj. designating, of, or in uppercase •vt. -cased', -cas'ing to print in or change to uppercase [from their being kept in the upper of two cases of type]
upperclassman (ûp'эr klæs´mэn) pl. -men (-mэn) •n. a student in the junior or senior class of a high school or college
uppercut (ûp´эr kût') •n. Boxing a short, swinging blow directed upward, as to the chin •vt., vi. -cut', -cut'ting to hit with an uppercut
uppermost (ûp´эr moust') •adj. highest in place, position, power, authority, influence, etc.; topmost; predominant; foremost •adv. in the highest place, position, rank, etc.
uppish (ûp´ish) •adj. [Colloq.] Brit. var. of UPPITY up´pish·ly •adv. up´pish·ness •n. [< UP¹ + -ISH]
uppity (-э ti:) •adj. [Colloq.] inclined to be haughty, arrogant, snobbish, etc. up´pi·ty·ness •n.
Uppsala (ûp´sэ lэ, up´-; -sä lä', -sä'lä) city in EC Sweden: pop. 156,000: also sp. Up´sa·la
upraise (ûp reiz´) -raised´, -rais´ing •vt. to raise up; lift
uprear (-rir´) •vt. 1 to lift up 2 to erect; build 3 to elevate in dignity; exalt 4 to bring up; rear •vi. to rise up
upright (ûp´rait'; also, for adv., ûp rait´) •adj. 1 standing, pointing, or directed straight up; in a vertical or perpendicular position; erect 2 honest and just; honorable •adv. in an upright position or direction •n. 1 the state of being upright or vertical 2 something having an upright position; vertical part or member 3 short for UPRIGHT PIANO 4 a) one of the goal posts, as in football Æ b) one of the two standards supporting the crossbar in the high jump or pole vault up´right'ly •adv. up´right'ness •n. [ME < OE upriht: see UP¹ & RIGHT]
upright piano a piano with strings set vertically in a rectangular body
uprise (ûp raiz´; for n. ûp´raiz') -rose´, -ris´en, -ris´ing •vi. 1 to get up; rise 2 to move or slope upward; ascend 3 to rise into view, being, or activity 4 to be or become erect or upright 5 to increase in size, volume, etc.; swell, as sound 6 to rise in revolt •n. 1 the act or process of rising up 2 an upward slope or ascent
uprising (ûp´rai'ziŋ) •n. 1 the action of rising up; specif., an outbreak against a government; revolt 2 an upward slope or ascent
upriver (ûp´riv´эr) •adv., adj. toward the source of a river; against the current of a river
uproar (-rör') •n. 1 violent disturbance or commotion, esp. one accompanied by loud, confused noise, as of shouting; tumult 2 loud, confused noise; din SYN. NOISE [Du oproer, a stirring up (akin to Ger aufruhr) < op, up + roeren, to stir (akin to OE hreran < IE base *ere-, to mix, stir up): form and sense infl. by ROAR]
uproarious (ûp rör´i: эs) •adj. 1 making, or characterized by, an uproar; tumultuous 2 a) loud and boisterous, as laughter b) causing such laughter {an uproarious joke} up·roar´i·ous·ly •adv. up·roar´i·ous·ness •n.
uproot (ûp ru:t´) •vt. 1 to tear up by the roots 2 to destroy or remove utterly; eradicate 3 to remove or force from home or native land
uprouse (-rauz´) -roused´, -rous´ing •vt. to rouse; stir up
upsadaisy (ûp´sэ dei'zi:) •interj. var. of UPSY-DAISY
upscale (ûp´skeil') •adj. designating, of, or for people who are relatively affluent, educated, stylish, etc.
upset (ûp set´; for n., and occas. adj., ûp´set') -set´, -set´ting •vt. 1 orig., to set up; erect 2 a) to tip over; overturn {to upset a vase} b) to overthrow or defeat, esp. unexpectedly 3 a) to disturb the functioning, fulfillment, or completion of {to upset a busy schedule} b) to disturb mentally or emotionally {upset by bad news} c) to disturb physically; make sick {to upset the stomach} 4 Mech. a) to shorten and thicken (a red-hot iron) by beating on the end b) to shorten (a metal tire) in the process of resetting it •vi. to become overturned or upset •n. 1 an upsetting or being upset; specif., a) a tipping over, knocking over, etc. b) an overthrow or defeat, esp. when unexpected c) a disturbance or disorder, specif. of an emotional or physical nature 2 Mech. a) a swage used for upsetting b) an upset piece or part •adj. 1 [Rare] set up; erected 2 a) tipped over; overturned b) overthrown or defeated c) disturbed or disordered up·set´ter •n. SYN.—upset is the ordinary word implying a toppling, disorganization, etc. as a result of a loss of balance or stability [to upset a glass, one's plans, etc.; emotionally upset]; overturn implies a turning of a thing upside down or flat on its side and, in extended use, connotes the destruction of something established [to overturn a chair, a government, etc.]; capsize specifically implies the overturning or upsetting of a boat [ME upsetten: see UP¹ & SET]
upset price the price fixed as the minimum at which something will be sold at an auction
upshot (ûp´shät') •n. the conclusion; result; outcome [orig., the final shot in an archery match]
upside (-said') •n. the upper side or part
upside down 1 with the top side or part underneath or turned over; inverted 2 in disorder; topsy-turvy up´side'-down´ •adj. [ME up so doun, lit., up as if down: altered by folk etym.]
upside-down cake a cake baked with a bottom layer of fruit and turned upside down before serving
upsilon (u:p´sэ län', ûp´-) •n. 1 name of the twentieth letter of the Greek alphabet (Υ, υ) Æ 2 any of a group of short-lived elementary particles having a mass about ten times greater than that of a proton [LGr y psilon, lit., simple u (to distinguish from oi, of the same sound in LGr)]
upspring (ûp spriŋ´; for n., ûp´spriŋ') -sprang´ or -sprung´, -sprung´, -spring´ing •vi. to spring up (in various senses) •n. a spring upward
upstage (ûp´steij'; for v., ûp steij´) •adv. toward or at the rear of a stage •adj. 1 of or having to do with the rear of a stage 2 haughtily or disdainfully aloof •vt. -staged´, -stag´ing 1 to draw the attention of the audience away from (a fellow actor) and to oneself by moving upstage so that the other actor must face away from the audience 2 to draw attention to oneself at the expense of (another) as by treating disdainfully
upstairs (ûp´sterz´) •adv. 1 up the stairs 2 on or to an upper floor or higher level 3 [Colloq.] in the mind •adj. situated on an upper floor •n. an upper floor or floors kick upstairs [Colloq.] to promote to a higher level so as to be rid of on a lower, but more effective, level
upstanding (ûp´stæn´diŋ) •adj. 1 standing straight; erect 2 upright in character and behavior; honorable
upstart¹ (ûp´stärt') •n. a person who has recently come into wealth, power, etc., esp. one who behaves in a presumptuous, aggressive manner; parvenu •adj. 1 newly rich, powerful, etc. 2 of or characteristic of an upstart
upstart² (ûp stärt´) •vi., vt. to start, or spring, up or cause to spring up
upstate (ûp´steit') •n. that part of a State farther to the north or away from a large city; esp., the northern part of New York •adj., adv. in, to, or from upstate up´stat'er •n.
upstream (-stri:m') •adv., adj. in the direction against the current of a stream
upstretched (ûp strecht´) •adj. stretched upward
upstroke (ûp´strouk') •n. 1 an upward stroke or movement 2 a line, brush mark, etc. made with an upward stroke
upsurge (ûp sørj´; for n. ûp´sørj') -surged´, -surg´ing •vi. to surge up •n. a surge upward
upsweep (ûp´swi:p'; for v. ûp swi:p´) •n. 1 a sweep or curve upward 2 an upswept hairdo •vt., vi. -swept´, -sweep´ing to sweep or curve upward
upswell (ûp swel´) -swelled´, -swelled´ or -swol´len, -swell´ing •vi. to swell up
upswept (ûp´swept') •vt., vi. pt. & pp. of UPSWEEP •adj. 1 curved or sloped upward 2 designating or of a style of hairdo in which the hair is combed up in the back and piled on the top of the head
upswing (ûp´swiŋ'; for v. ûp swiŋ´) •n. a swing, trend, or movement upward; specif., an upward trend in business •vi. -swung´, -swing´ing 1 to swing or move upward 2 to advance or improve
upsy-daisy (ûp´sэ dei'zi:, ûp´si:-) •interj. up you go: used playfully as when lifting a small child [baby-talk extension of UP¹]
uptake (ûp´teik') •n. 1 the act of taking up; a drawing up, absorbing, etc. 2 a) a pipe carrying smoke and gases from a furnace to its chimney b) a ventilating shaft or pipe Æ quick (or slow) on the uptake [Colloq.] quick (or slow) to understand or comprehend
up-tempo (ûp´tem'pou) •adj., adv. in or at a fast tempo
upthrow (-θrou') •n. 1 a throwing up; upheaval 2 Geol. that side of a fault which has moved upward relative to the other side
upthrust (-θrûst') •n. 1 an upward push or thrust 2 Geol. an upheaval of a part of the earth's crust
uptick (-tik') •n. 1 a stock transaction at a price higher than that of the preceding transaction 2 an increase or upturn; rise [UP- + TICK¹ (see TICKER, a)]
uptight (ûp´tait´) •adj. [Slang] 1 very tense, nervous, anxious, etc. 2 overly conventional or strict Also up´-tight´
uptilt (ûp tilt´) •vt. to tilt up
uptime (ûp´taim') •n. the time during which a machine, as a computer, is UP¹ (adj. 11), or functioning properly
up-to-date (ûp'tэ deit´) •adj. 1 extending to the present time; using or including the latest facts, ideas, etc. 2 keeping up with what is most recent in style, taste, information, etc. up'-to-date´ness •n.
uptown (ûp´taun') •adj., adv. 1 of, in, like, to, or toward the upper part of a city or town, usually the part away from the main business district 2 of, in, to, or toward the central part or business district of a town: a rural and small-town usage •n. Æ 1 the uptown, usually residential, section of a city or town 2 the central part or business district of a town: a rural and small-town usage
upturn (ûp tørn´; for n. ûp´tørn') •vt., vi. to turn up, upward, or over •n. an upward turn, curve, or trend up´turned´ •adj.
upward (ûp´wэrd) •adv., adj. 1 toward a higher place, position, degree, amount, etc. 2 from an earlier to a later time 3 beyond (an indicated price, amount, etc.) {tickets cost two dollars and upward} Also up´wards •adv. upwards (or upward) of more than up´ward·ly •adv. [ME < OE upweard: see UP¹ & -WARD]
upward mobility movement from a lower to a higher social and economic status
upwelling (ûp´wel´iŋ) •n. an upward flow or current of water; esp., a rising, cold, nutrient-rich, coastal ocean current that attracts fish
upwind (ûp´wind') •adv., adj. in the direction from which the wind is blowing or usually blows
Ur (ur, ør) ancient Sumerian city on the Euphrates River, in what is now S Iraq
ur- or Ur- (ur) prefix original, primitive [Ger: akin to Goth us, ON ōr, out of, from, OE or-, early]
uracil (yur´э sil') •n. a colorless, crystalline, pyrimidine base, C4H4N2O2, that occurs as a constituent of ribonucleic acid [UR(O)-¹ + AC(ETIC) + -IL]
uraeus (yu: ri:´эs) pl. -rae´i' (-ai') •n. the figure of the sacred asp or cobra on the headdress of ancient Egyptian rulers [ModL < LGr ouraios, cobra < Egypt y؟rt: form infl. by Gr ouraios, of the tail < oura, tail: see URO-²]
Ural (yur´эl) 1 [pl.] mountain system in Russia, extending from the Arctic Ocean south to the N border of Kazakhstan: traditionally regarded as the boundary between Europe & Asia: highest peak, c. 6,180 ft. (1,884 m): also Ural Mountains 2 river flowing from the S section of these mountains into the N end of the Caspian Sea: 1,575 mi. (2,534 km)
Ural-Altaic (-æl tei´ik) •n. a postulated language grouping that comprises all the Uralic and Altaic languages •adj. designating or of this group of languages
Uralic (yu: ræl´ik, -rei´lik) •n. a family of languages of N and E Europe and N Asia, consisting of the Finno-Ugric languages (e.g., Finnish and Hungarian) and the Samoyed languages •adj. designating or of these languages or the peoples who speak them Also U·ra´li·an (-rei´li: эn) [URAL + -IC]
uralite (yur´э lait') •n. a fibrous, monoclinic amphibole, a variety of hornblende altered from pyroxene u'ral·it´ic (-э lit´ik) •adj. [Ger uralit < Ural, URAL + -it, -ITE¹]
Urania (yu: rei´ni: э) Gr. Myth. the Muse of astronomy [L < Gr Ourania, lit., the heavenly one < Ouranos, URANUS]
Uranian (-эn) •adj. of Uranus
uranic¹ (yu: ræn´ik) •adj. [Obs.] celestial; astronomical [< Gr ouranos, sky, URANUS + -IC]
uranic² (yu: ræn´ik, -rei´nik) •adj. of or containing uranium, esp. in its higher valence [URAN(IUM) + -IC]
uranide (yur´э naid') •n. any of the transuranic elements
uraninite (yu: rei´nэ nait', -ræn´э-) •n. a black, opaque mineral, essentially uranium oxide, but often containing radium, thorium, or lead, and, sometimes, the gases helium and argon: the chief ore of uranium [< fol. + -IN¹ + -ITE¹]
uranium (yu: rei´ni: эm) •n. a very hard, heavy, silvery, moderately malleable, radioactive metallic chemical element: it is found only in combination, chiefly in pitchblende, and is important in work on atomic energy, esp. in the isotope (uranium-235) which can undergo neutron-induced fission and in the more plentiful isotope (uranium-238) from which plutonium is produced: symbol, U; at. wt., 238.03; at. no., 92; sp. gr., 18.95; melt. pt., 1,132.3°C; boil. pt., 3,818°C [ModL: so named (1789) by M. H. Klaproth (see TELLURIUM), its discoverer, after URANUS, recently (1781) discovered planet + -IUM]
uranography (yu'rэ näg´rэ fi:) •n. the branch of astronomy dealing with the description of the heavens and the mapping of the stars u'ra·nog´ra·pher •n. u·ra·no·graph·ic (yu:'rэ nou græf´ik) or u'ra·no·graph´i·cal •adj. [Gr ouranographia < ouranos, heaven, URANUS + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC]
uranology (-näl´э ji:) •n. old term for ASTRONOMY [< Gr ouranos, heaven, URANUS + -LOGY]
uranometry (-näm´э tri:) •n. 1 the measurement of the positions, magnitudes, distances, etc. of celestial objects 2 a map or chart prepared from this data [ModL uranometria < Gr ouranos, heaven, URANUS + ModL -metria, -METRY]
uranous (yu: rein´эs, yur´э nэs) •adj. of or containing uranium, esp. in its lower valence [URAN(IUM) + -OUS]
Uranus (yur´э nэs, yu: rein´эs) 1 Gr. Myth. a god who is the personification of the heavens, the son and husband of Gaea (Earth) and father of the Titans, Furies, and Cyclopes: he is overthrown by his son Cronus (Saturn) 2 the third largest planet of the solar system and the seventh in distance from the sun: it has a system of thin rings around the equator: diameter, c. 52,400 km (c. 32,560 mi.); period of revolution, c. 84.02 earth years; period of rotation, c. 17.24 hours around an axis tilted 98° to its orbital plane; fifteen satellites; symbol, ♂ [ModL] [LL < Gr Ouranos, lit., heaven]
uranyl (yur´э nil') •n. the divalent radical UO2, present in many compounds of uranium [URAN(IUM) + -YL]
urate (yur´eit) •n. a salt of uric acid
Urawa (u: rä´wä) city in EC Honshu, Japan, north of Tokyo: pop. 369,000
urb (ørb) •n. an urban area, esp. as contrasted with its suburbs
urban (ør´bэn) •adj. 1 of, in, constituting, or comprising a city or town 2 characteristic of the city as distinguished from the country; citified Æ 3 in U.S. census use, designating or of an incorporated or unincorporated place with at least 50,000 inhabitants [L urbanus < urbs, city]
Urban II (ør´bэn) c. 1042-99; pope (1088-99)
urban renewal rehabilitation of deteriorated or distressed urban areas, as by slum clearance and redevelopment construction in housing and public facilities
urban sprawl the spread of urban congestion into adjoining suburbs and rural sections
urbane (ør bein´) •adj. polite and courteous in a smooth, polished way; refined SYN. SUAVE ur·bane´ly •adv. ur·bane´ness •n. [L urbanus: see URBAN]
urbanism (ør´bэn iz'эm) •n. 1 a) the character of life in the cities; urban life, organization, problems, etc. b) the study of this 2 movement of the population to, or concentration of the population in, the cities ur´ban·ist •n., adj. ur'ban·is´tic •adj.
urbanite (-ait') •n. a person living in a city
urbanity (ør bæn´э ti:) pl. -ties •n. 1 the quality of being urbane 2 [pl.] civilities, courtesies, or amenities
urbanize (ør´bэn aiz') -ized', -iz'ing •vt. 1 to change from rural to urban in character; make like or characteristic of a city 2 [Rare] to make urbane ur'ban·i·za´tion •n.
urbanized (-aizd') •adj. made urban in character
urbanologist (ør'bэn äl´э jist) •n. a student of, or specialist in, urban problems ur'ban·ol´o·gy •n. [URBAN + -O- + -LOG(Y) + -IST]
urbi et orbi (ur´bi: et ör´bi:) to the city (Rome) and to the world: said of certain special papal blessings [L]
urbia (ør´bi: э) •n. cities collectively, as distinguished from suburbs (suburbia) and exurbs (exurbia) [ModL < L urbs, city + -IA]
urceolate (ør´si: э lit, -leit') •adj. shaped like a vase or urn [ModL urceolatus < L urceolus, dim. of urceus, vase]
urchin (ør´chin) •n. 1 orig., a hedgehog 2 SEA URCHIN 3 a small boy, or any youngster, esp. one who is roguish or mischievous 4 [Obs.] an elf [ME irchoun < OFr heriçun < L ericius, hedgehog < er, hedgehog, for earlier *her < IE base *Gher-, to bristle, be stiff > L horrere, to bristle, Gr chēr, porcupine]
urd (ørd) •n. a hairy annual bean (Vigna mungo) of the pea family, with small, black, edible seeds [Hindi]
Urdu (ur´du:') •n. a language of Pakistan and N India, with the same basic grammar as Hindi but having many words derived from Persian and Arabic: it is written in Arabic characters [Hindi urdū, short for zabān-i-urdū, language of the camp < Pers urdu, camp < Turk ordū: see HORDE]
-ure (эr) suffix 1 act, process, or result {exposure} 2 agent, instrument, or scope of 3 state of being ~ed {composure} 4 office, rank, or collective body {legislature} [Fr < L -ura]
urea (yu: ri:´э, yur´i: э) •n. a highly soluble, crystalline solid, CO(NH2)2, found in the urine and other body fluids of mammals or produced synthetically: used in making plastics, fertilizer, adhesives, etc. u·re´al or u·re´ic •adj. [ModL < Fr urée < Gr ouron, URINE]
urea-formaldehyde resins (-för mæl´dэ haid') strong, odorless, thermosetting resins formed by condensing urea and formaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst: used in making buttons, tableware, etc.
urease (yur´i: eis', -eiz') •n. an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide or ammonium carbonate [URE(A) + -ASE]
uredinium (yur'э din´i: эm) pl. -i·a (-э) Bot. a pustule, often found on the epidermis of grasses, formed by a rust fungus and consisting of uredospores Also u·re·di·um (yu ri:´di: эm) •n. u're·din´i·al •adj. [ModL < L uredo (gen. uredinis), blight: see UREDO & -IUM]
uredo (yu: ri:´dou') •n. URTICARIA [ModL < L, a blight, blast, burning itch < urere, to burn < IE base *-eus, to burn]
uredospore (yu: ri:´dou spör') Bot. a thin-walled, red, summer spore of a rust fungus, produced usually on the leaves or stems of grasses and capable of reinfecting other grasses of the same species Also u·re´di·o·spore' (-di: ou spör') •n. [L uredo (see UREDO) + SPORE]
uredostage (-steij') •n. Bot. the stage in which rust fungi develop uredospores [L uredo (see UREDO) + STAGE]
ureide (yur´i: aid', -id) •n. any of several compounds derived from urea by the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by an acid radical [URE(A) + -IDE]
uremia (yu: ri:´mi: э) •n. a toxic condition caused by the presence in the blood of waste products that are not being eliminated in the urine because of a failure of the kidneys to secrete urine u·re´mic •adj. [ModL < Gr ouron, URINE + haima, blood]
ureotelic (yu: ri:'ou tel´ik, yur'i: ou-) •adj. designating those animals, as mammals or fish, that excrete most of their waste nitrogen in the form of urea in the urine: cf. URICOTELIC [< UREA + TELIC]
-uret (yu: ret') obsolete suffix -IDE [< ModL -uretum (replacing earlier -URE)]
ureter (yu: ri:t´эr) •n. a duct or tube that carries urine from a kidney to the bladder or cloaca: see KIDNEY, illus. u·re´ter·al or u·re·ter·ic (yur'э ter´ik) •adj. [ModL < Gr ourētēr < ourein, to urinate < ouron: see URINE]
uretero- (yu: ri:t´эr ou', -э) combining form ureter {ureterostomy} Also, before a vowel, u·re·ter- (yu: ri:t´эr) [< prec.]
ureterostomy (yu: ri:t'эr äs´tэ mi:) pl. -mies •n. the surgical creation of an artificial opening for the direct discharge of urine from the ureter [prec. + -STOMY]
urethane (yur´э θein', yu: reθ´ein) •n. 1 a white, crystalline compound, C3H7NO2, produced by the action of ammonia on ethyl carbonate or by heating urea nitrate and ethyl alcohol: it is used as a hypnotic and sedative, a solvent, etc. 2 any ester of carbamic acid Also u´re·than' (-θæn') [Fr uréthane < urée, UREA + éther (< L aether: see ETHER) + -ane, -ANE]
urethra (yu: ri:´θrэ) pl. -thrae (-θri:') •n.or -thras the membranous canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder in most mammals: in the male, semen is also discharged through the urethra u·re´thral •adj. [LL < Gr ourēthra < ouron, URINE]
urethritis (yur'э θrait´is) •n. inflammation of the urethra [ModL: see URETHRA & -ITIS]
urethro- (yu: ri:´θrou, -θrэ) combining form urethra {urethroscope} Also, before a vowel, urethr- [< URETHRA]
urethroscope (yu: ri:´θrэ skoup') •n. an instrument for examining the interior of the urethra u·re'thro·scop´ic (-skäp´ik) •adj. [prec. + -SCOPE]
uretic (yu: ret´ik) •adj. 1 of the urine; urinary 2 DIURETIC [LL ureticus < Gr ourētikos]
Urey (yur´i:), Harold Clay·ton (kleit´ªn) 1893-1981; U.S. chemist
Urfa (uř fä´) city in SE Turkey, near the Syrian border: pop. 147,000: cf. EDESSA
urge (ørj) urged, urg´ing •vt. 1 a) to press upon the attention; present or speak of earnestly and repeatedly; plead, allege, or advocate strongly {to urge caution} b) to entreat or plead with; ask, persuade, or solicit earnestly; press; exhort 2 to stimulate or incite; provoke 3 to drive or force onward; press forward; impel 4 to ply (oars, etc.) vigorously •vi. 1 to make an earnest presentation of arguments, claims, charges, entreaties, etc. 2 to exert a force that drives or impels, as to action •n. 1 the act of urging 2 an impulse to do a certain thing; impelling influence or force, esp. an inner drive urg´er •n. SYN.—urge implies a strong effort to persuade someone to do something, as by entreaty, argument, or forceful recommendation [he urged us to leave]; exhort implies an earnest urging or admonishing to action or conduct considered proper or right [the minister exhorted his flock to work for peace]; press suggests a continuous, insistent urging that is difficult to resist [we pressed her to stay]; importune implies persistent efforts to break down resistance against a demand or request, often to the point of being annoying or wearisome [too proud to importune for help] [L urgere, to press hard: see WREAK]
urgency (ør´jэn si:) pl. -cies •n. 1 the quality or state of being urgent; need for action, haste, etc.; stress or pressure, as of necessity 2 insistence; importunity 3 something urgent
urgent (-jэnt) •adj. 1 calling for haste, immediate action, etc.; grave; pressing 2 insistent; importunate ur´gent·ly •adv. [LME < MFr < L urgens, prp. of urgere, to press hard, urge]
-urgy (ør´ji:, эr ji:) combining form the science, technique, or process of working with or by means of (something specified) {zymurgy, chemurgy} [Gr -ourgia < -ourgos, worker < ergon, WORK]
Uri (u:´ři:) canton of EC Switzerland: 415 sq. mi. (1,075 sq. km); pop. 34,000
-uria (yur´i: э) combining form a condition of the urine, esp. one related to a disease, often indicated by the presence of a (specified) substance in the urine {glycosuria, albuminuria} [ModL < Gr -ouria < ouron, URINE]
Uriah (yu: rai´э) 1 a masculine name 2 Bible a Hittite captain whose beautiful wife, Bathsheba, David lusted after: David arranged for Uriah to die in battle and then married Bathsheba: 2 Sam. 11 [Heb uriya, lit., God is light < or, light, brightness (akin to ur, fire) + ya, Jehovah]
uric (yur´ik) •adj. of, contained in, or derived from urine [Fr urique < urine + -ique, -IC]
uric acid a white, odorless, crystalline substance, C5H4N4O3, found in urine, the excreta of birds and reptiles, etc.: it is slightly soluble in water
urico- (yur´i kou, -kэ) combining form uric acid {uricosuric} Also, before a vowel, u·ric- (yur´ik) [< URIC]
uricosuric (yur'i kou syur´ik) •adj. increasing or promoting the urinary excretion of uric acid [prec. + -s- + URIC]
uricotelic (-tel´ik) •adj. designating those animals, as reptiles or birds, that excrete most of their waste nitrogen in the form of uric acid, usually in the urine: cf. UREOTELIC
uridine (yur´э di:n') •n. a nucleoside, C9H12N2O6, formed from uracil and ribose and found in ribonucleic acid [UR(O)-¹ + -ID(E) + -INE³]
Uriel (yur´i: эl) in angelology and literature, a principal angel or archangel [Heb uriel, lit., light of God < or, light (see URIAH) + el, God]
Urim and Thummim (yur´im ænd θûm´im) Bible certain unidentified objects on the breastplate of the high priest: Ex. 28:30 [Heb ūrīm b'tummīm]
urinal (yur´э nэl) •n. 1 a portable receptacle used for urinating, esp. by the bedridden 2 a place for urinating; specif., a fixture for use by men in urinating, esp. one installed in a men's restroom [OFr < LL < urinalis, of urine < urina, URINE]
urinalysis (yur'э næl´э sis) pl. -ses' (-si:z') •n. physical, chemical, or microscopic analysis of the urine [ModL]
urinary (yur´э ner'i:) •adj. 1 of or relating to urine 2 of the organs involved in the secretion and discharge of urine [< L urina, URINE + -ARY]
urinary bladder a saclike structure in many animals, serving for temporary storage of fluid or semifluid excretions, as urine
urinary calculus a calculus in the urinary tract
urinary tubule any of the long, winding tubules of the vertebrate kidney in which urine is formed Also called uriniferous tubule
urinate (yur´э neit') -nat'ed, -nat'ing •vi. to discharge urine from the body; micturate •vt. to discharge as or with the urine u'ri·na´tion •n. u´ri·na'tive •adj. [< ML urinatus, pp. of urinare]
urine (yur´in) •n. a waste product of vertebrates and many invertebrates, secreted by the kidneys or other excretory structures: in mammals, it is a yellowish liquid containing urea, certain salts, etc., which is stored in the bladder and discharged periodically from the body through the urethra; in birds, reptiles, etc., it is a solid or almost solid substance formed chiefly of uric acid [OFr < L urina, urine < IE *ūr-, var. of base *awer-, to moisten, flow > WATER, Gr ouron, urine]
uriniferous (yur'э nif´эr эs) •adj. conveying urine
urino- (yur´э nou', -nэ) combining form urine, urinary tract {urinogenital} Also, before a vowel, urin- [< L urina, URINE]
urinogenital (yur'э nou jen´э tэl) •adj. UROGENITAL
urinous (yur´э nэs) •adj. of, like, or containing urine Also u´ri·nose' (-nous') [ModL urinosus]
Urmia (u:r´mi: э), Lake large saltwater lake in NW Iran: c. 1,500 to 2,300 sq. mi. (3,800 to 6,000 sq. km)
urn (ørn) •n. 1 a) a vase, esp. one with a foot or pedestal b) such a vase used to hold the ashes of a cremated body 2 a large metal container with a faucet, used for making and serving hot coffee, tea, etc. 3 Bot. the part of a moss capsule that bears the spores [ME < L urna, urn; akin to urceus, jug]
uro-¹ (yur´ou, -э) combining form urine, urination, urinary tract {urolith} Also, before a vowel, ur- [< Gr ouron, URINE]
uro-² (yur´ou, -э) combining form tail {uropod} Also, before a vowel, ur- [< Gr oura, tail < IE *orsos, var. of base *ers-, the buttocks, tail > ARSE]
urochord (yur´ou körd', yur´э-) •n. 1 TUNICATE 2 Zool. the notochord when confined to the tail region in larval, and sometimes adult, tunicates u'ro·chor´dal •adj. [prec. + CHORD¹]
urochrome (-kroum') •n. the pigment that gives urine its characteristic yellow color [URO-¹ + CHROME]
urodele (-di:l') •n. SALAMANDER [Fr urodèle < ModL Urodela < uro- (see URO-²) + Gr -dēlos, visible < IE base *dei-, to shine > L dies, day]
urogenital (yur'ou jen´э tэl, yur'э-) •adj. designating or of the urinary and genital organs; genitourinary
urogenous (yu: rä´jэ nэs) •adj. 1 producing urine 2 contained in or obtained from urine [URO-¹ + -GENOUS]