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Unilateral: meaning, definitions and examples

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unilateral

 

[ˌjuːnɪˈlætərəl ]

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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 dog—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.

Translations

Translations of the word "unilateral" in other languages:

🇵🇹 unilateral

🇮🇳 एकतरफा

🇩🇪 einseitig

🇮🇩 satu sisi

🇺🇦 односторонній

🇵🇱 jednostronny

🇯🇵 一方的な

🇫🇷 unilatéral

🇪🇸 unilateral

🇹🇷 tek taraflı

🇰🇷 일방적인

🇸🇦 أحادي الجانب

🇨🇿 jednostranný

🇸🇰 jednostranný

🇨🇳 单方面的

🇸🇮 enostranski

🇮🇸 einnhliða

🇰🇿 біржақты

🇬🇪 ერთმხრივი

🇦🇿 tək tərəfli

🇲🇽 unilateral

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.