upright upright: adj. & n. --adj. 1 erect, vertical (an upright posture; stood upright). 2 (of a piano) with vertical strings. 3 (of a person or behaviour) righteous; strictly honourable or honest. 4 (of a picture, book, etc.) greater in height than breadth. --n. 1 a post or rod fixed upright esp. as a structural support. 2 an upright piano. øøuprightly adv. uprightness n. [OE upriht (as UP, RIGHT)]
unfashionable unfashionable: adj. not fashionable. øøunfashionableness n. unfashionably adv.
universal universal: adj. & n. --adj. 1 of, belonging to, or done etc. by all persons or things in the world or in the class concerned; applicable to all cases (the feeling was universal; met with universal approval). 2 Logic (of a proposition) in which something is asserted of all of a class (opp. PARTICULAR). --n. 1 Logic a universal proposition. 2 Philos. a a term or concept of general application. b a nature or essence signified by a general term. øuniversal agent an agent empowered to do all that can be delegated. universal compass a compass with legs that may be extended for large circles. universal coupling (or joint) a coupling or joint which can transmit rotary power by a shaft at any selected angle. universal language an artificial language intended for use by all nations. universal proposition Logic a proposition in which the predicate is affirmed or denied of all members of a class (opp. particular proposition). universal suffrage a suffrage extending to all adults with minor exceptions. universal time = GREENWICH MEAN TIME. øøuniversality n. universalize v.tr. (also -ise). universalization n. universally adv. [ME f. OF universal or L universalis (as UNIVERSE)]
unlucky unlucky: adj. (unluckier, unluckiest. 1 not fortunate or successful. 2 wretched. 3 bringing bad luck. 4 ill-judged. øøunluckily adv. unluckiness n.
unalterable unalterable: adj. not alterable. øøunalterableness n. unalterably adv.
um um: int. expressing hesitation or a pause in speech. [imit.]
unapparent unapparent: adj. not apparent.
unreserved unreserved: adj. 1 not reserved (unreserved seats). 2 without reservations; absolute (unreserved confidence). 3 free from reserve (an unreserved nature). øøunreservedly adv. unreservedness n.
unity unity: n. (pl. -ies. 1 oneness; being one, single, or individual; being formed of parts that constitute a whole; due interconnection and coherence of parts (disturbs the unity of the idea; the pictures lack unity; national unity). 2 harmony or concord between persons etc. (lived together in unity). 3 a thing forming a complex whole (a person regarded as a unity). 4 Math. the number 'one', the factor that leaves unchanged the quantity on which it operates. 5 Theatr. each of the three dramatic principles requiring limitation of the supposed time of a drama to that occupied in acting it or to a single day (unity of time), use of one scene throughout (unity of place), and concentration on the development of a single plot (unity of action). [ME f. OF unit÷ f. L unitas -tatis f. unus one]
unrestrained unrestrained: adj. not restrained. øøunrestrainedly adv. unrestrainedness n.
unpaired unpaired: adj. 1 not arranged in pairs. 2 not forming one of a pair.
unapt unapt: adj. 1 (usu. foll. by for) not suitable. 2 (usu. foll. by to + infin.) not apt. øøunaptly adv. unaptness n.
undergo undergo: v.tr. (3rd sing. present -goes; past -went; past part. -gone) be subjected to; suffer; endure. [OE undergan (as UNDER-, GO(1))]
unofficial unofficial: adj. 1 not officially authorized or confirmed. 2 not characteristic of officials. øunofficial strike a strike not formally approved by the strikers' trade union. øøunofficially adv.
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