un-

¹

1. a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, giving negative or opposite force in adjectives and their derivative adverbs and nouns ( unfair; unfairly; unfairness; unfelt; unseen; unfitting; unformed; unheard-of; un-get-at-able ), and less freely used in certain other nouns ( unrest; unemployment ).

un-

²

1. a prefix freely used in English to form verbs expressing a reversal of some action or state, or removal, deprivation, release, etc. ( unbend; uncork; unfasten , etc.), or to intensify the force of a verb already having such a meaning ( unloose ).

un

³

or 'un

[ uhn ]

pronoun

, Dialect.

1. one:

   young uns; He's a bad un.

UN

⁴

or U.N.

abbreviation for

1. United Nations ( def 1 ).

un-

¹

prefix forming verbs and verbal derivatives

1. denoting reversal of an action or state

   uncover

   untangle

2. denoting removal from, release, or deprivation

   unharness

   unthrone

   unman

3. (intensifier)

   unloose

un-

²

prefix

1. freely used with adjectives, participles, and their derivative adverbs and nouns: less frequently used with certain other nouns not; contrary to; opposite of

   untidiness

   uncertain

   unrest

   unbelief

   unemotionally

   uncomplaining

   untruth

UN

³

abbreviation for

1. United Nations

'un

⁴

/ ən /

pronoun

1. a spelling of one

   that's a big 'un

Usage

This spelling is intended to reflect a dialectal or informal pronunciation

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

Middle English un-, on-, Old English; cognate with Dutch on-, Gothic, German un-, Old Norse ū-, ō-; akin to Latin in-, Greek an-, a-. See a- ⁶, an- ¹, in- ³

Origin of un-²

Middle English, Old English un-, on-; cognate with Gothic and-, Dutch ont-, German ent-; akin to Latin ante, Greek antí; ante-, anti-

Word History and Origins

Origin of un-¹

from Old English un-, on-; related to Gothic and-, German ent-, Latin ante

Origin of un-²

from Old English on-, un-; related to Gothic on-, German un-, Latin in-

Synonym Study

See in- ³.

Example Sentences

However, it denies any bias, pointing to the fact that some cases were self-referred by the country affected, or referred to it by the UN.

From BBC

But the Security Council - prompted by then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan - refused to renew the exemption in June 2004, after pictures of US troops abusing Iraqi prisoners shocked the world.

From BBC

This is according to the same rules that govern their contributions to the UN - roughly based on their national wealth.

From BBC

A prosecutor begins an investigation if a case is referred either by the UN Security Council or by a ratifying state.

From BBC

In a much-criticised decision in July 2002, the UN Security Council voted on a compromise that gave US troops a 12-month exemption from prosecution, to be renewed annually.

From BBC