U - Ultimatum

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U.

U (ū), the twenty-first letter of the English alphabet, is a cursive form of the letter V, with which it was formerly used interchangeably, both letters being then used both as vowels and consonants. U and V are now, however, differentiated, U being used only as a vowel or semivowel, and V only as a consonant. The true primary vowel sound of U, in Anglo-Saxon, was the sound which it still retains in most of the languages of Europe, that of long oo, as in tool, and short oo, as in wood, answering to the French ou in tour. Etymologically U is most closely related to o, y (vowel), w, and v; as in two, duet, dyad, twice; top, tuft; sop, sup; auspice, aviary. See , also and .
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See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 130-144.
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Uakari (?), n. (Zoöl.) Same as .
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Uberous (?), a. [L. uber.] Fruitful; copious; abundant; plentiful. [Obs.] Sir T. Herbert.
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Uberty (?), n. [L. ubertas.] Fruitfulness; copiousness; abundance; plenty. [Obs.] Florio.
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{ Ubication (?), Ubiety (?), } n. [NL. ubicatio, ubietas, fr. L. ubi where.] The quality or state of being in a place; local relation; position or location; whereness. [R.] Glanvill.
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Ubiquarian (?), a. Ubiquitous. [R.]
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{ Ubiquist (?), Ubiquitarian (?), } n. [L. ubique everywhere: cf. F. ubiquiste, ubiquitaire. See .] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a school of Lutheran divines which held that the body of Christ is present everywhere, and especially in the eucharist, in virtue of his omnipresence. Called also ubiquitist, and ubiquitary.
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Ubiquitariness (�bĭkwĭt�rĭnĕs), n. Quality or state of being ubiquitary, or ubiquitous. [R.] Fuller.
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Ubiquitary (�bĭkwĭt�r�), a. [L. ubique everywhere. See .] Ubiquitous. Howell.
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Ubiquitary, n.; pl. Ubiquitaries (�). 1. One who exists everywhere. B. Jonson.
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2. (Eccl. Hist.) A ubiquist. Bp. Hall.
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Ubiquitist (�bĭkwĭtĭst), n. Same as .
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Ubiquitous (�bĭkwĭtŭs), a. [See .] Existing or being everywhere, or in all places, at the same time; omnipresent. -- Ubiquitously, adv.
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In this sense is he ubiquitous. R. D. Hitchcock.
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Ubiquity (�bĭkwĭt�), n. [L. ubique everywhere, fr. ubi where, perhaps for cubi, quobi (cf. alicubi anywhere), and if so akin to E. who: cf. F. ubiquité.] 1. Existence everywhere, or in all places, at the same time; omnipresence; as, the ubiquity of God is not disputed by those who admit his existence.
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The arms of Rome . . . were impeded by . . . the wide spaces to be traversed and the ubiquity of the enemy. C. Merivale.
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2. (Theol.) The doctrine, as formulated by Luther, that Christ's glorified body is omnipresent.
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Uchees (?), n. pl. (Ethnol.) A tribe of North American Indians belonging to the Creek confederation.
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Uckewallist (?), prop. n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a sect of rigid Anabaptists, which originated in 1637, and whose tenets were essentially the same as those of the Mennonists. In addition, however, they held that Judas and the murderers of Christ were saved. So called from the founder of the sect, Ucke Wallis, a native of Friesland. Eadie.
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Udal (ūd�l), n. & a. Udalborn, Udaler, Udalman, etc. [Icel. ōðal allodium, an hereditary estate; akin to Sw. odal allodial, Dan. odel.] Vars. of , etc.; property held by udal, or allodial, right -- Obs. exc. in Shetland and the Orkney Islands, where udal designates a freehold, land held in fee simple without any charter and free of any feudal character.
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Udal, a. Allodial; -- a term used in Finland, Shetland, and Orkney. See . Burrill.
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{ Udaler (?), Udalman (?), } n. In the Shetland and Orkney Islands, one who holds property by udal, or allodial, right. Sir W. Scott.
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Udder (?), n. [OE. uddir, AS. ūder; akin to D. uijer, G. euter, OHG. ūtar, ūtiro, Icel. jūgr, Sw. jufver, jur, Dan. yver, L. uber, Gr. oy^qar, Skr. ūdhar. √216. Cf. .] 1. (Anat.) The glandular organ in which milk is secreted and stored; -- popularly called the bag in cows and other quadrupeds. See .
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A lioness, with udders all drawn dry. Shak.
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2. One of the breasts of a woman. [R.]
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Yon Juno of majestic size,
With cowlike udders, and with oxlike eyes. Pope.
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Uddered (?), a. Having an udder or udders.
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Udderless, a. 1. Destitute or deprived of an udder.
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2. Hence, without mother's milk; motherless; as, udderless lambs. [Poetic] Keats.
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Udometer (?), n. [L. udus wet, moist + -meter.] (Meteor.) A rain gauge.
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Ugh (�), interj. An exclamation expressive of disgust, horror, or recoil. Its utterance is usually accompanied by a shudder.
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Uglesome (ŭg'lsŭm), a. [√3. See .] Ugly. [Obs.] “Such an uglesome countenance.” Latimer.
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Uglify (?), v. t. [Ugly + -fy.] To disfigure; to make ugly. [R.] Mad. D'Arblay.
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Uglily, adv. In an ugly manner; with deformity.
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Ugliness, n. The quality or state of being ugly.
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Ugly (?), a. [Compar. Uglier (?); superl. Ugliest.] [Icel. uggligr fearful, dreadful; uggr fear (akin to ugga to fear) + -ligr (akin to E. -ly, like). ��. Cf. .] 1. Offensive to the sight; contrary to beauty; being of disagreeable or loathsome aspect; unsightly; repulsive; deformed.
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The ugly view of his deformed crimes. Spenser.
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Like the toad, ugly and venomous. Shak.
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O, I have passed a miserable night,
So full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams. Shak.
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2. Ill-natured; crossgrained; quarrelsome; as, an ugly temper; to feel ugly. [Colloq. U. S.]
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3. Unpleasant; disagreeable; likely to cause trouble or loss; as, an ugly rumor; an ugly customer. [Colloq.]
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Ugly (?), n. A shade for the face, projecting from the bonnet. [Colloq. Eng.] C. Kingsley.
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Ugly, v. t. To make ugly. [R.] Richardson.
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Ugrian (?), n. pl. (Ethnol.) A Mongolian race, ancestors of the Finns. [Written also Uigrian.]
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Ugsome (?), a. [��. See .] Ugly; offensive; loathsome. [Obs.] -- Ugsomeness, n. [Obs.] “The horror and ugsomeness of death.” Latimer.
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Uhlan (?), n. [G. uhlan, Pol. ulan, hulan, from Turk. oglān a youth, lad; of Tartar origin.] [Written also ulan, and formerly hulan.] 1. One of a certain description of militia among the Tartars.
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2. (Mil.) One of a kind of light cavalry of Tartaric origin, first introduced into European armies in Poland. They are armed with lances, pistols, and sabers, and are employed chiefly as skirmishers.
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Uintatherium (?), n. [NL., fr. Uinta, the Indian name of the region where the animals were discovered + Gr. qhrion beast.] (Paleon.) An extinct genus of large Eocene ungulates allied to Dinoceras. This name is sometimes used for nearly all the known species of the group. See .
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Uitlander (?), n. [D. Cf. .] A foreigner; an outlander. [South Africa]
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Ukase (?), n. [F., fr. Russ. ukas'; pref. u- + kazate to show, to say.] 1. In Russia, a published proclamation or imperial order, having the force of law.
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2. an order or edict by someone holding absolute authority.
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Ulan (?), n. See .
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Ularburong (?), n. [From the native Malay name.] (Zoöl.) A large East Indian nocturnal tree snake (Dipsas dendrophila). It is not venomous.
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Ulcer (?), n. [F. ulcère, L. ulcus, gen. ulceris, akin to Gr. �.] 1. (Med.) A solution of continuity in any of the soft parts of the body, discharging purulent matter, found on a surface, especially one of the natural surfaces of the body, and originating generally in a constitutional disorder; a sore discharging pus. It is distinguished from an abscess, which has its beginning, at least, in the depth of the tissues.
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2. Fig.: Anything that festers and corrupts like an open sore; a vice in character.
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Coloq. Cold ulcer (Med.), an ulcer on a finger or toe, due to deficient circulation and nutrition. In such cases the extremities are cold.
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Ulcer, v. t. To ulcerate. [R.] Fuller.
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Ulcerable (?), a. Capable of ulcerating.
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Ulcerate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Ulcerated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ulcerating.] [L. ulceratus, p. p. of ulcerare, fr. ulcus ulcer.] To be formed into an ulcer; to become ulcerous.
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Ulcerate, v. t. To affect with, or as with, an ulcer or ulcers. Harvey.
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Ulcerated (?), a. Affected with, or as with, an ulcer or ulcers; as, an ulcerated sore throat.
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Ulceration (?), n. [L. ulceratio: cf. F. ulcération.] (Med.) The process of forming an ulcer, or of becoming ulcerous; the state of being ulcerated; also, an ulcer.
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Ulcerative (?), a. Of or pertaining to ulcers; as, an ulcerative process.
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Ulcered (?), a. Ulcerous; ulcerated.
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Ulcerous (?), a. [L. ulcerosus: cf. F. ulcéreux.] 1. Having the nature or character of an ulcer; discharging purulent or other matter. R. Browning.
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2. Affected with an ulcer or ulcers; ulcerated.
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It will but skin and film the ulcerous place. Shak.
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-- Ulcerously, adv. -- Ulcerousness, n.
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{ Ulcuscle (?), Ulcuscule (?), } n. [L. ulcusculum, dim. of ulcus. See .] A little ulcer. [R.]
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Ule (ūl�), n. [Sp.] (Bot.) A Mexican and Central American tree (Castilloa elastica and Castilloa Markhamiana) related to the breadfruit tree. Its milky juice contains caoutchouc. Called also ule tree.
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Ulema (?), n. [Turk. & Ar. 'ulamā the wise or learned men, pl. of 'ālim wise, learned, fr. alima to know.] (Islam) A college or body composed of the hierarchy (the imams, or ministers of religion, the muftis, or doctors of law, and the cadis, or administrators of justice). That of Turkey alone now has political power; its head is the sheik ul Islam. This definition was written ca. 1900. The government of Turkey in 1998 is exclusively secular, whereas Iran in 2001 is dominated by Moslem clergy.
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Ulexite (?), n. [After a German chemist.] (Min.) A mineral occurring in white rounded crystalline masses. It is a hydrous borate of lime and soda.
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{ Uliginose (?), Uliginous (?), } a. [L. uliginosus, fr. uligo, -inis, moisture, fr. uvere to be moist.] Muddy; oozy; slimy; also, growing in muddy places. [R.] Woodward.
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ullage (ŭll�j; 48), n. [OF. eullage, ouillage, the filling up of a cask, fr. ouillier, oillier, euillier, to fill a wine cask; properly, to add oil to prevent evaporation, as to a flask that is nearly full, fr. OF. oile oil. See .] (Com.) The amount which a vessel, as a cask, of liquor lacks of being full; wantage; deficiency.
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ullet (ŭllĕt), n. [Cf. OF. hullote, E. howlet.] (Zoöl.) A European owl (Syrnium aluco) of a tawny color; -- called also uluia.
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Ullmannite (?), n. [So named after J. C. Ullman, a German chemist.] (Min.) A brittle mineral of a steel-gray color and metallic luster, containing antimony, arsenic, sulphur, and nickel.
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Ulluco (?), n. (Bot.) See .
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Ulmaceous (?), a. [L. ulmus an elm.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a suborder of urticaceous plants, of which the elm is the type.
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Ulmate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of ulmic acid.
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Ulmic (?), a. [L. ulmus an elm: cf. F. ulmique.] (Chem.) Pertaining to ulmin; designating an acid obtained from ulmin.
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Ulmin (?), n. [L. ulmus an elm: cf. F. ulmine.] (Chem.) A brown amorphous substance found in decaying vegetation. Cf. . [Formerly written ulmine.]
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Ulmus (?), n. [L., an elm.] (Bot.) A genus of trees including the elm.
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Ulna (ŭlnȧ), n. [L., the elbow. See .] 1. (Anat.) The postaxial bone of the forearm, or brachium, corresponding to the fibula of the hind limb. See .
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2. (O. Eng. Law) An ell; also, a yard. Burrill.
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Ulnage (?), n. [See , and cf. .] (Old Eng. Law) Measurement by the ell; alnage.
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Ulnar (?), a. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the ulna, or the elbow; as, the ulnar nerve.
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Ulnare (?), n.; pl. Ulnaria (#). [NL. See .] (Anat.) One of the bones or cartilages of the carpus, which articulates with the ulna and corresponds to the cuneiform in man.
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Ulodendron (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. �, for � whole + � tree.] (Paleon.) A genus of fossil trees.
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Uloid (?), a. [Written also ouloid.] [Gr. � scar + -oid.] (Med.) Resembling a scar; scarlike.
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Ulonata (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) A division of insects nearly equivalent to the true Orthoptera.
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Ulotrichan (?), a. (Anthropol.) Of or pertaining to the Ulotrichi. -- n. One of the Ulotrichi.
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Ulotrichi (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. �, �, woolly-haired; � woolly + �, �, hair.] (Anthropol.) The division of mankind which embraces the races having woolly or crispy hair. Cf. .
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Ulotrichous (?), a. (Anthropol.) Having woolly or crispy hair; -- opposed to leiotrichous.
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Ulster (?), n. A long, loose overcoat, worn by men and women, originally made of frieze from Ulster, Ireland.
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Ulterior (?), a. [L., comp. of ultra, ultro, beyond, on the other side, properly cases of an old adjective, formed with a comparative suffix, which is akin to OL. uls beyond, L. olim formerly, hereafter, orig., at that time, ille that, OL. olle, ollus. Cf. .] 1. Situated beyond, or on the farther side; thither; -- correlative with hither.
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2. Further; remoter; more distant; succeeding; as, ulterior demands or propositions; ulterior views; what ulterior measures will be adopted is uncertain.
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Coloq. Ulterior motive , Coloq. Ulterior object or Coloq. Ulterior aim , a motive, object or aim beyond that which is avowed.
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Ulterior, n. Ulterior side or part. [R.] Coleridge.
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Ulteriorly, adv. More distantly or remotely.
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Ultima (ŭliĭmȧ), a. [L., fem. of ultimus last.] Most remote; furthest; final; last.
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Coloq. Ultima ratio [L.], the last reason or argument; the last resort. -- Coloq. Ultima Thule . [L.] See .
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Ultima, n. [L., fem. of ultimus last.] (Gram. & Pros.) The last syllable of a word.
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Ultimate (?), a. [LL. ultimatus last, extreme, fr. L. ultimare to come to an end, fr. ultimus the farthest, last, superl. from the same source as ulterior. See , and cf. .] 1. Farthest; most remote in space or time; extreme; last; final.
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My harbor, and my ultimate repose. Milton.
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Many actions apt to procure fame are not conductive to this our ultimate happiness. Addison.
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2. Last in a train of progression or consequences; tended toward by all that precedes; arrived at, as the last result; final.
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Those ultimate truths and those universal laws of thought which we can not rationally contradict. Coleridge.
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3. Incapable of further analysis; incapable of further division or separation; constituent; elemental; as, an ultimate particle; an ultimate constituent of matter.
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Coloq. Ultimate analysis (Chem.), organic analysis. See under . -- Coloq. Ultimate belief . See under . -- Coloq. Ultimate ratio (Math.), the limiting value of a ratio, or that toward which a series tends, and which it does not pass.
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Syn. -- Final; conclusive. See .
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Ultimate (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Ultimated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Ultimating.] 1. To come or bring to an end or issue; to eventuate; to end. [R.]
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2. To come or bring into use or practice. [R.]
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Ultimately (?), adv. As a final consequence; at last; in the end; as, afflictions often tend to correct immoral habits, and ultimately prove blessings.
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Ultimation (ŭltĭmāshŭn), n. State of being ultimate; that which is ultimate, or final; ultimatum. [R.] Swift.
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Ultimatum (ŭltĭmātŭm), n.; pl. E. Ultimatums (ŭltĭmātŭmz), L. Ultimata (#). [NL. See .] 1. A final proposition, concession, or condition; especially, the final propositions, conditions, or terms, offered by either of the parties in a diplomatic negotiation; the most favorable terms that a negotiator can offer, the rejection of which usually puts an end to the hesitation.
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2. A final demand, the rejection of which may lead to a resort to force or other compelling action by the party presenting the ultimatum. In international diplomacy, an ultimatum may be used as by the demanding country as a signal to other countries that it gave the other country a seemingly reasonable opportunity to avoid a war; in this way, the demanding country may seek to avoid responsibility for starting a war.
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