unique

u·nique  (y-nk)

adj.

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

2. Without an equal or equivalent; unparalleled.

3.

a. Characteristic of a particular category, condition, or locality: a problem unique to coastal areas.

b. Informal Unusual; extraordinary: spoke with a unique accent.

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

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u·niquely adv.

u·niqueness n.

Usage Note: For many grammarians, unique is the paradigmatic absolute term, a shibboleth that distinguishes between those who understand that such a term cannot be modified by an adverb of degree or a comparative adverb and those who do not. These grammarians would say that a thing is either unique or not unique and that it is therefore incorrect to say that something is very unique or more unique than something else. Most of the Usage Panel supports this traditional view. Eighty percent disapprove of the sentence Her designs are quite unique in today's fashions. But as the language of advertising in particular attests, unique is widely used as a synonym for worthy of being considered in a class by itself, extraordinary and if so construed it may arguably be modified. In fact, unique appears as a modified adjective in the work of many reputable writers. A travel writer states that "Chicago is no less unique an American city than New York or San Francisco," for example, and the critic Fredric Jameson writes "The great modern writers have all been defined by the invention or production of rather unique styles." Although these examples of the qualification of unique are defensible, writers should be aware that such constructions are liable to incur the censure of some readers. See Usage Notes at absolute, equal, infinite.

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unique [yew-neek]

Adjective

1. being the only one of a particular type

2. unique to concerning or belonging to a particular person, thing, or group: certain dishes are unique to this restaurant

3. without equal or like

4. Informal remarkable [Latin unicus unparalleled]

uniquely adv

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 remarkable or unusual, and this makes it possible to use comparatives or intensifiers with it, although many people object to this use.

Thesaurus

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"

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unique

adjective 1. distinct, special, exclusive, peculiar, only, single, lone, solitary, one and only, sui generis

adjective 2. unparalleled, unrivalled, incomparable, inimitable, unmatched, peerless, unequalled, matchless, without equal, nonpareil, unexampled

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.

Translations

unique [juːˈniːk] adj → único

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unique [juːˈniːk] adj → unique

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unique [juːˈniːk] adj [object etc] → einmalig; [ability, skill] → einzigartig;

to be unique to → charakteristisch sein für

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unique [juːˈnɪːk] adj → unico/a