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Unilateral Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŸก
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unilateral

[หŒjuหnษชหˆlรฆtษ™rษ™l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

political decision

Unilateral refers to a decision or action taken by one party or country without the agreement or participation of others. In a political context, this often implies that a state acts independently, which can affect international relations. For instance, a unilateral decision may undermine alliances or treaties if other parties are not involved in the decision-making process.

Synonyms

independent, one-sided, solitary.

Examples of usage

  • The government took unilateral action to impose tariffs.
  • They made a unilateral decision to withdraw from the agreement.
  • Unilateral military interventions can escalate conflicts.
Context #2 | Adjective

medical context

In a medical context, unilateral refers to something that affects only one side of the body. This can relate to a range of symptoms or conditions, such as unilateral hearing loss or unilateral pain. It is important in diagnosis and treatment, as it can help narrow down potential causes and contribute to effective medical intervention.

Synonyms

lateral, one-sided, single-sided.

Examples of usage

  • The patient presented with unilateral hearing loss.
  • She reported unilateral headache symptoms.
  • Unilateral swelling may indicate a localized infection.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Politics

  • Unilateral actions in politics often refer to decisions made by one country without consideration or consultation with allies.
  • A famous example is the unilateral decision to invade a country, which can lead to international tension.

Law

  • In legal terms, unilateral contracts are agreements where one party makes a promise in exchange for an act by another party.
  • An example of a unilateral contract is a reward offered for the return of a lost dogโ€”only the person returning the dog is entitled to the reward.

Science

  • In biology, unilateral movements can refer to an organism moving in one direction without the influence of other organisms.
  • Unilateral brain injuries affect one hemisphere of the brain, impacting specific functions on one side of the body.

Business

  • Unilateral decisions in business could involve a company's CEO making a call without consulting managers or employees.
  • Such decisions can lead to innovation but may also create resistance from those not involved in the process.

Origin of 'unilateral'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'unilateral' comes from the Latin words 'uni' meaning 'one' and 'latus' meaning 'side'.
  • It first appeared in English texts in the mid-19th century, primarily in legal and political contexts.

The term 'unilateral' originates from the late 19th century, derived from the French word 'unilatรฉral', which is composed of the prefix 'uni-' meaning 'one' and 'lateral' from the Latin 'lateralis', meaning 'related to the side'. The concept was initially used in contexts of political and military actions, denoting decisions made by one party alone. Over time, the usage expanded to various fields, including medicine and law, maintaining the core idea of singularity or one-sidedness. In international relations, unilateral actions can have significant implications, and the term has thus become increasingly noteworthy in discussions surrounding geopolitical strategies and diplomacy.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,960 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.