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u·nique

(yo͞o-nēk′)

adj.

1. Being the only one of its kind: the unique existing example of Donne's handwriting.

2. Characteristic only of a particular category or entity: a weather pattern that is unique to coastal areas.

3. Remarkable; extraordinary: a unique opportunity to buy a house.

[French, from Old French, from Latin ūnicus; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots.]

u·nique′ly adv.

u·nique′ness n.

Usage Note: Unique may be the foremost example of an absolute term—a term that, in the eyes of traditional grammarians, should not allow comparison or modification by an adverb of degree like very, somewhat, or quite. Thus, most grammarians believe that it is incorrect to say that something is very unique or more unique than something else, though phrases such as nearly unique and almost unique are presumably acceptable, since in these cases unique is not modified by an adverb of degree. A substantial majority of the Usage Panel supports the traditional view. In our 2004 survey, 66 percent of the Panelists disapproved of the sentence Her designs are quite unique in today's fashion, although in our 1988 survey, 80 percent rejected this same sentence, suggesting that resistance to this usage may be waning. · In fact, the nontraditional modification of unique may be found in the work of many reputable writers and has certainly been put to effective use: "I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson, and the great-grandson of preachers" (Martin Luther King, Jr.)."The creature is so unique in its style and appearance that the biologists who discovered it have given it not just its own species name ... but have moved way up the classification scale and declared that it is an entirely new phylum" (Natalie Angier). See Usage Notes at absolute, equal.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unique

(juːˈniːk)

adj

1. being the only one of a particular type; single; sole

2. without equal or like; unparalleled

3. informal very remarkable or unusual

4. (Mathematics) maths

a. leading to only one result: the sum of two integers is unique.

b. having precisely one value: the unique positive square root of 4 is 2.

[C17: via French from Latin ūnicus unparalleled, from ūnus one]

uˈniquely adv

uˈniqueness n

Usage: Unique is normally taken to describe an absolute state, i.e. one that cannot be qualified. Thus something is either unique or not unique; it cannot be rather unique or very unique. However, unique is sometimes used informally to mean very remarkable or unusual and this makes it possible to use comparatives or intensifiers with it, although many people object to this use

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

u•nique

(yuˈnik)

adj.

1. existing as the only one or as the sole example; single; solitary in type or characteristics.

2. having no like or equal; unparalleled; incomparable.

3. limited in occurrence to a given class, situation, or area.

4. not typical; unusual: She has a very unique ability to inspire people.

5. the embodiment of unique characteristics; the only one of a given kind.

[1595–1605; < French < Latin ūnicus, derivative of ūn(us) one]

u•nique′ly, adv.

u•nique′ness, n.

usage: Many usage guides, editors, teachers, and others maintain that such “absolute” words as complete, equal, perfect, and esp. unique cannot be compared because the condition they denote cannot be more or less than it already is. However, all such words have undergone semantic development and are used in a number of senses, some of which can be compared by words like more, very, somewhat, and totally and some of which cannot. The earliest meanings of unique when it entered English around 1600 were “single, sole” and “having no equal.” By the mid-19th century unique had developed a wider meaning, “not typical, unusual,” and it is in this wider sense that it is compared: The foliage on the late-blooming plants is more unique than that on the earlier varieties. Such comparison, though criticized, is standard in all varieties of speech and writing. See also a¹, complete, perfect.

unique

1. used to mean 'the only one'

If something is unique, it is the only thing of its kind.

This is a unique opportunity.

Humans are unique because they have the capacity to choose what they do.

For emphasis, you can use words such as totally or absolutely in front of unique.

By the late 1930's the country had full employment -- an absolutely unique achievement.

You can say that something is almost unique.

You suffer from an almost unique mental condition.

2. used to mean 'unusual'

Some people use unique to mean 'unusual'. They say, for example, that something is very unique or rather unique.

Oh, I say, that's rather unique, isn't it?

I realized I had hit on something pretty unique.

These uses of unique are generally thought to be incorrect.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Adj.	1.	unique - radically distinctive and without equal; "he is alone in the field of microbiology"; "this theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem"; "Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint"; "craftsmen whose skill is unequaled"; "unparalleled athletic ability"; "a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history" unequaled, unequalled, unparalleled, alone incomparable, uncomparable - such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared; "an incomparable week of rest and pleasure"; "the computer proceeds with its incomparable logic and efficiency"; "this report is incomparable with the earlier ones because of different breakdowns of the data"
	2.	unique - (followed by `to') applying exclusively to a given category or condition or locality; "a species unique to Australia" specific - (sometimes followed by `to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique; "rules with specific application"; "demands specific to the job"; "a specific and detailed account of the accident"
	3.	unique - the single one of its kind; "a singular example"; "the unique existing example of Donne's handwriting"; "a unique copy of an ancient manuscript"; "certain types of problems have unique solutions" singular single - existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual; "upon the hill stood a single tower"; "had but a single thought which was to escape"; "a single survivor"; "a single serving"; "a single lens"; "a single thickness"
	4.	unique - highly unusual or rare but not the single instance; "spoke with a unique accent"; "had unique ability in raising funds"; "a frankness unique in literature"; "a unique dining experience" unusual - not usual or common or ordinary; "a scene of unusual beauty"; "a man of unusual ability"; "cruel and unusual punishment"; "an unusual meteorite"

unique

adjective

1. distinct, special, exclusive, peculiar, only, single, lone, solitary, one and only, sui generis The area has its own unique language, Catalan.

2. unparalleled, unrivalled, incomparable, inimitable, unmatched, peerless, unequalled, matchless, without equal, nonpareil, unexampled She was a woman of unique talent and determination.

3. (with to) exclusive to, particular to, peculiar to, found only in, characteristic of, typical of This interesting and charming creature is unique to Borneo.

Usage: Unique with the meaning `being the only one' or `having no equal' describes an absolute state: a case unique in British law. In this use it cannot therefore be qualified; something is either unique or not unique. However, unique is also very commonly used in the sense of `remarkable' or `exceptional', particularly in the language of advertising, and in this meaning it can be used with qualifying words such as rather, quite, etc. Since many people object to this use, it is best avoided in formal and serious writing.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

unique

adjective

1. Alone in a given category:

lone, one, only, particular, separate, single, singular, sole, solitary.

Idioms: first and last, one and only.

2. Without equal or rival:

alone, incomparable, matchless, nonpareil, only, peerless, singular, unequaled, unexampled, unmatched, unparalleled, unrivaled.

Translations

فَرِيدفَريد، فَذ، مُنْقَطِع النَّظير

jedinečný

unikenestående

unika

ainutlaatuinen

jedinstven

einstakur

unico eccezionale singolo straordinario

独特の

독특하다독특한

unikalus

unikālsvienreizējs

уникальный единственный исключительный

edinstven

unik

มีลักษณะเฉพาะ

eşsiz tek

duy nhất

独一无二的独特的

unique

[juːˈniːk] ADJ

1. (= exclusive) [style, collection, combination] → único
to be unique to sth/sb: it is a species unique to these islands → es una especie que se da únicamente en estas islas
the experience is unique to each individual → la experiencia es única (e irrepetible) en cada individuo
this behaviour is not unique to men → este comportamiento no se da únicamente en los hombres

2. (= exceptional) [opportunity] → único; [ability, talent] → sin igual, excepcional; [insight] → único, de excepción; [relationship] → especial

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

unique

[juːˈniːk] adj

(= one of a kind) → unique
Each person's signature is unique → Chaque signature est unique.

(= exceptional) [talent, opportunity, voice] → unique
Katy was a woman of unique talent → Katy était une femme au talent unique.

(= exclusive) unique to sth → unique à qch
to be unique to a place → être unique à un endroit
This creature is unique to Borneo → Cette créature est unique à Bornéo.
to be unique to sb → être unique à qn
unique to each individual → unique à chaque individu

unique

adj → einzig attr; (= outstanding) → einzigartig, einmalig (inf); (Math) → eindeutig; you are not unique in that → da bist du nicht der/die Einzige; such cases are not unique to Britain → solche Fälle sind nicht nur auf Großbritannien beschränkt; unique among … → einzigartig unter … (dat); unique selling point → einzigartiger Verkaufsanreiz

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

unique

[juːˈniːk] adj → unico/a

unique

(juːˈniːk) adjective

being the only one of its kind, or having no equal. His style is unique.

unique

→ فَرِيد jedinečný unik einzigartig μοναδικός único ainutlaatuinen unique jedinstven unico 独特の 독특한 uniek unik wyjątkowy único уникальный unik มีลักษณะเฉพาะ eşsiz duy nhất 独特的

unique

a. único-a; solo-a; que se distingue de otros.

References in classic literature ?

General cargo ports belong to the aristocracy of the earth's trading places, and in that aristocracy London, as it is its way, has a unique physiognomy.

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The sensation produced by Princess Myakaya's speeches was always unique, and the secret of the sensation she produced lay in the fact that though she spoke not always appropriately, as now, she said simple things with some sense in them.

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Some of it is rugged in form, but other parts magnificently dramatic, and some few poems, like the unique and superb 'Love in the Valley,' charmingly beautiful.

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They sat together at a small table, looking upon a scene which was probably unique in the history of the great restaurant.

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But supplementary to this, it has hypothetically occurred to me, that as ordinary fish possess what is called a swimming bladder in them, capable, at will, of distension or contraction; and as the Sperm Whale, as far as I know, has no such provision in him; considering, too, the otherwise inexplicable manner in which he now depresses his head altogether beneath the surface, and anon swims with it high elevated out of the water; considering the unobstructed elasticity of its envelop; considering the unique interior of his head; it has hypothetically occurred to me, I say, that those mystical lung-celled honeycombs there may possibly have some hitherto unknown and unsuspected connexion with the outer air, so as to be susceptible to atmospheric distension and contraction.

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So we return to the Perfect Woman, having gained this much knowledge of her,--that her perfection is nothing more or less than her unique, individual, charming imperfection, and that she is simply the woman we love and who is fool enough to love us.

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It is laudable, what they think hard; what is indispensable and hard they call good; and what relieveth in the direst distress, the unique and hardest of all,--they extol as holy.

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Let nobody laugh at the unique anecdote here related.

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He gives the instance of learning a lesson by heart: when I know it by heart I am said to "remember" it, but this merely means that I have acquired certain habits; on the other hand, my recollection of (say) the second time I read the lesson while I was learning it is the recollection of a unique event, which occurred only once.

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At last I can do justice to the exquisite conception of his 'Conquest of Granada', a study of history which, in unique measure, conveys not only the pathos, but the humor of one of the most splendid and impressive situations in the experience of the race.

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What interested me was the unique character about whom the tale revolves--the visored horseman who-but let us wait until we get to him.

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"I find myself," Wingrave continued thoughtfully, "in a somewhat unique position.