词源字典 u.doc

-ule suffix meaning small, little (capsule, module, etc.), from Fr. -ule, from L. diminutive suffix -ulus (fem. -ula, neut. -ulum). -ulent from L. adj. suffix -ulentus full of. u for historical evolution, see V. Used punningly for you by 1588 Loves Labours Lost, V.i.60, not long after the pronunciation shift that made the vowel a homonym of the pronoun. As a simple shorthand (without intentional word-play), it is recorded from 1862. Common in business abbreviations since 1923 (e.g. U-Haul, attested from 1951). U-bahn Ger. or Austrian subway system, 1938 (originally in ref. to Berlin), from Ger. U-bahn, short for Untergrund-bahn, lit. underground railway. U-boat 1916 (said to have been in use from 1913), partial translation of Ger. U-boot, short for Unterseeboot, lit. undersea boat. U-turn 1934, from u + turn (n.). So called in ref. to the shape of the path described. U.K. abbreviation for United Kingdom, attested from 1892. U.N. abbreviation for United Nations, attested from 1946. U.S. abbreviation for United States, attested from 1834. ubi place, location, position, 1614, common in Eng. c.1640-1740. from L. ubi where, ult. from PIE *kwo-bhi- (cf. Skt. kuha, O.C.S. kude where), locative case of pronomial base *kwo-. Ubi sunt, lit. where are (1914), in ref. to lamentations for the mutability of things is from a phrase used in certain M.L. Christian works. ubiquity 1579, from M.Fr. ubiquit (17c.), from L. ubique everywhere, from ubi where (see ubi) + que any, also, ever, a suffix that can give universal meaning to the word it is attached to. Originally a Lutheran theological position maintaining the omnipresence of Christ. Ubiquitous in the sense of turning up everywhere is first recorded 1837, originally a jocular extension of the theological word. udder O.E. udder milk gland of a cow, goat, etc., from P.Gmc. *udr- (cf. O.Fris., M.Du. uder, O.H.G. utar, Ger. Euter, and, with unexplained change of consonant, O.N. jugr), from PIE *udhr- (cf. Skt. udhar, Gk. outhar, L. uber udder). UFO 1953, abbreviation of Unidentified Flying Object, which is attested from 1950. Ufology is first attested 1959. Ugaritic 1936, pertaining to Ugarit, ancient city of northern Syria, and esp. to the language first discovered there 1929 by Claude Schaeffer, from Ugarit, which probably is ult. from Sumerian ugaru field. ugh 1765, imitative of the sound of a cough; as an interjection of disgust, recorded from 1837. ugly c.1250, uglike frightful or horrible in appearance, from O.N. uggligr dreadful, fearful, from uggr fear, apprehension, dread (perhaps related to agg strife, hate) + -ligr -like. Meaning softened to very unpleasant to look at c.1375. Extended sense of morally offensive is attested from c.1300; that of ill-tempered is from 1687. Among words for this concept, ugly is unusual in being formed from a root for fear, dread. More common is a compound meaning ill-shaped (e.g. Gk. dyseides, L. deformis, Ir. dochrud, Skt. ku-rupa). Another Gmc. group has a root sense of hate, sorrow (see loath). Verb uglify is attested from 1576. Ugly duckling (1877) is from the story by Hans Christian Andersen, first translated from Danish to English 1846. Ugly American U.S. citizen who behaves offensively abroad is first recorded 1958 as a book title. uh inarticulate sound, attested from 1605; uh-huh, spoken affirmative (often ironic or non-committal) is recorded from 1904; negative uh-uh is attested from 1924. UHF 1937, abbreviation of ultra-high frequency (1932) in ref. to radio frequencies in the range of 300 to 3,000 megahertz. uhlan cavalryman, 1753, from Ger. Uhlan, from Pol. ulan a lancer, from Turk. oghlan a youth. For sense evolution, cf. infantry. ukase 1729, decree issued by a Russian emperor, from Rus. ukaz edict, from ukazat to show, decree, from O.C.S. ukazati, from u-, intens. prefix, + kazati to show, order, which is related to the first element of Casimir. Ukraine from Rus. Ukraina, lit. border, frontier, from u- at + krai edge. ukulele 1896, from Hawaiian ukulele, lit. leaping flea, from uku louse, flea + lele to fly, jump, leap. So called from the rapid motion of the fingers in playing it. It developed from a Port. instrument introduced to the islands c.1879. Abbreviated form uke is attested from 1915. ulcer c.1400, from O.Fr. ulcere, from V.L. ulcerem, from L. ulcus (gen. ulceris) ulcer, from PIE base *elk-es- wound (cf. Gk. elkos). ulema scholars of Muslim religious law, 1688, from Arabic ulema learned men, scholars, pl. of alim learned, from alama to know. ullage amount by which a cask or bottle falls short of being full, 1481, from Anglo-Fr. ulliage (1329), Anglo-L. oliagium (1297), O.Fr. ouillage, from ouiller to fill up (a barrel) to the bung, lit. to fill to the eye, from ueil eye, from L. ochulus. ulna inner bone of the forearm, 1541, from L., lit. elbow, related to O.E. eln (see elbow). Ulrich masc. proper name, from Ger., from O.H.G. Uodalrich, lit. of a rich home, from uodal home, nobolity (related to O.E. ele noble, O.N. oal home). Ulster northernmost of the four provinces of Ireland, 14c., from Anglo-Fr. Ulvestre (c.1225), Anglo-L. Ulvestera (c.1200), corresponding to O.N. Ulfastir, probably from Ir. Ulaidh men of Ulster + suffix also found in Leinster, Munster, and perhaps representing Ir. tir land. ult. see ultimo. ulterior 1646, from L. ulterior more distant, further, comparative of *ulter beyond (see ultra). The sense in ulterior motives is first attested 1735. ultimate 1654, from L.L. ultimatus, pp. of ultimare to be final, come to an end, from ultimus last, final, superlative of *ulter beyond (see ultra). Ultimate Frisbee is attested from 1972. ultimatum 1731, from Mod.L., from M.L. adj. ultimatum last possible, final, from L. ultimatum, neut. of ultimatus (see ultimate). Hamilton and others use the L. plural ultimata. In slang c.1820s, ultimatum was used for the buttocks. ultimo in the month preceding the present, 1616, common in abbreviated form ult. in 18c.-19c. correspondence and newspapers, from L. ultimo (mense) of last (month), abl. sing. masc. of ultimus last (see ultimate). Earlier it was used in the sense of on the last day of the month specified (1582). ultra- prefix meaning beyond (ultraviolet) or extremely (ultramodern), from L. ultra- from ultra (adv. and prep.) beyond, on the further side, from PIE *al- beyond. In common use from early 19c., it appears to have arisen from Fr. political designations. As its own word, a noun meaning extremist of various stripes, it is first recorded 1817, from Fr. ultra, shortening of ultra-royaliste extreme royalist. ultralight (adj.) 1974, from ultra- + light (adj.). As a noun meaning ultralight aircraft it is recorded from 1982. ultramarine 1598, blue pigment made from lapis lazuli, from M.L. ultramarinus, lit. beyond the sea, from ultra- beyond + marinus of the sea. So called because the mineral was imported from Asia by sea. ultramontane 1592, from M.Fr. ultramontain beyond the mountains (especially the Alps), from O.Fr. (1323), from L. ultra beyond + stem of mons (see mountain). Used especially of papal authority, though connotation varies according to the position of the speaker or writer. Weekley ultrasonic 1923, having frequency beyond the audible range, from ultra- + sonic. For sense, see supersonic. First record of ultrasound is from 1923; in ref. to ultrasonic techniques of detection or diagnosis it is recorded from 1958. ultraviolet beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum, 1840, from ultra- + violet. Ultra-red (1870) was a former name for what now is called infra-red. ululation 1599, from L. ululationem (nom. ululatio) a howling or wailing, from pp. stem of ululare ululate, a reduplicated imitative base (cf. Gk. ololyzein to cry aloud, Skt. ululih a howling, Lith. uluti howl, Gael. uileliugh wail of lamentation, O.E. ule owl). Ulysses L. name for Odysseus, from L. Ulysses, Ulixes. Famous for wandering as well as craftiness and ability at deceit. For -d- to -l- alteration, see lachrymose. um a sound denoting hesitation, 1672. Umayyad member of a Muslim dynasty which ruled the Caliphate 661-750 C.E. and in 756 C.E. founded an emirate in Spain, 1758, from Arabic, from Umayya, proper name of an ancestor of Muhammad from whom the dynasty claimed descent. umber brown earthy pigment, 1568, from M.Fr. ombre (in terre dombre), or It. ombra (in terra di ombra), both from either L. umbra shade, shadow (see umbrage) or from Umbra, fem. of Umber belonging to Umbria, region in central Italy from which the coloring matter first came. Burnt umber, specially prepared and redder in color, is attested from c.1650. umbilical pertaining to the navel, 1541, from M.L. umbilicalis of the navel, from L. umbilicus navel, from PIE *onobh- (source of Gk. omphalos and related to *nobh, source of navel). First record of umbilical cord is from 1753. Umbilicus for navel is attested from 1693 but mostly is confined to medical writing. umbles edible inner parts of a deer or other animal, c.1400, see humble. umbra 1599, phantom, ghost, a fig. use from L. umbra shade, shadow (see umbrage). Astronomical sense of shadow cast by the earth or moon during an eclipse is first recorded 1679. Meaning an uninvited guest accompanying an invited one is from 1696. umbrage 1426, shadow, shade, from M.Fr. ombrage shade, shadow, from L. umbraticum, neut. of umbraticus of or pertaining to shade, from umbra shade, shadow, from PIE base *andho- blind, dark (cf. Skt. andha-, Avestan anda- blind, dark). Many fig. uses 17c.; main remaining one is the meaning suspicion that one has been slighted, first recorded 1620; hence phrase to take umbrage at, attested from 1680. umbrageous shady, 1587, from Fr. ombrageux, from O.Fr. umbrageus, from umbre shade, from L. umbra (see umbrage). umbrella 1609, first attested in Donnes letters, from It. ombrello, from L.L. umbrella, altered (by influence of umbra) from L. umbella sunshade, parasol, dim. of umbra shade, shadow (see umbrage). A sunshade in the Mediterranean, a shelter from the rain in England; in late 17c. usage, usually as an Oriental or African symbol of dignity. Said to have been used by women in England from c.1700; the first rain-umbrella carried by a man there was traditionally c.1760, by Jonas Hathaway, noted traveler and philanthropist. Fig. sense of authority, unifying quality (usually in a phrase such as under the umbrella of) is recorded from 1948. umiak large Eskimo boat, c.1743, from Eskimo umiaq an open skin boat. Said by 18c.-19c. sources to be a womans boat, as opposed to the kayak, which was worked exclusively by men. umlaut 1852, from Ger., change of sound, from um about (see ambi-) + laut sound, from O.H.G. hlut (see listen). Coined 1774 by poet Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock (1724-1803) but first used in its current sense 1819 by linguist Jakob Grimm (1785-1863). umma the Islamic community, founded by Muhammad and bound to one another by religious ties and obligations, 1855, from Arabic umma people, community, nation. umpire c.1400, noumper, from O.Fr. nonper odd number, not even, in reference to a third person to arbitrate between two, from non not + per equal, from L. par. Initial -n- lost by c.1440 due to faulty separation of a noumpere, heard as an oumpere. Originally legal, the gaming sense first recorded 1714 (in wrestling). Short form ump is attested from 1915. The verb is first recorded 1609, from the noun. umpty 1905, of an indefinite number, originally Morse code slang for dash, influenced by association with numerals such as twenty, thirty, etc.; umpteen (1917) is World War I army slang, from umpty + teen. un- (1) prefix of negation, O.E. un-, from P.Gmc. *un- (cf. O.Fris., O.H.G., Ger. un-, Goth. un-, Du. on-), from PIE *n- (cf. Skt. a-, an- not, Gk. a-, an-, O.Ir. an-, L. in-), a variant of PIE base *ne- not (cf. Avestan na, O.C.S., Lith. ne not, L. ne that not, Gk. ne- not, O.Ir. ni, Corn. ny not). Freely and widely used since O.E. times in compounds with native and imported words, it disputes with Latin-derived cognate in- the right to form the negation of certain words (indigestable/undigestable, etc.). Often euphemistic (e.g. untruth for lie). The most prolific of Eng. prefixes, it even is used to make words from phrases (e.g. uncalled-for, 1610; undreamed-of, 1636; uncome-at-able, 1694; unputdownable, 1947, of a book). As a prefix in telegram-ese to replace not and save the cost of a word, it is first attested 1936. un- (2) prefix of reversal (e.g. unhand, undo, unbutton), O.E. on-, un-, from P.Gmc. *andi- (cf. O.S. ant-, O.N. and-, Du. ont-, O.H.G. ant-, Ger. ant-, Goth. and- against), from PIE *anti facing opposite, near, in front of, before (see ante). un-American 1818, from un- (1) not + American (see America). Everything is un-American that tends either to government by a plutocracy or government by a mob. Theodore Roosevelt, 1917 un-British 1746, from un- (1) not + British. un-English lacking in qualities regarded as typically English, 1633, from un- (1) not + English (1). unabated 1611, from un- (1) not + pp. of abate. unable (adj.) c.1380, from un- (1) not + able. Modeled on O.Fr. inhabile or L. inhabilis. unabridged 1599, from un- (1) not + pp. of abridge. Since 19c. chiefly in ref. to literary works. unacceptable 1483, from un- (1) not + accept + -able. unaccompanied 1545, not in the company of others, from un- (1) not + pp. of accompany. Musical sense is first recorded 1818. unaccountable 1643, inexplicable, from un- (1) not + account + -able. Meaning not liable to be called to account is recorded from 1649. unaccustomed 1526, not customary, unfamiliar, from un- (1) not + pp. of accustom. Meaning not accustomed or habituated (to) is first attested 1611. unacquainted 1529, from un- (1) not + pp. of acquaint. unadorned 1634, from un- (1) not + pp. of adorn. unaffected c.1586, not influenced, untouched in mind or feeling, from un- (1) not + pp. of affect. Meaning not adopted or assumed, genuine is recorded from 1592; that of not acted upon or altered (by something) is first attested 1830. unafraid 1423, from un- (1) not + afraid. unaided 1667, from un- (1) not + pp. of aid. unaltered 1551, from un- (1) not + pp. of alter. Unalterable is attested from 1611. unambiguous 1751, from un- (1) not + ambiguous. unanimous 1611 (implied in unanimously), from L. unanimus of one mind, from unus one (see one) + animus mind (see animus). Unanimity is recorded from 1436, from O.Fr. unanimite (14c.), from L. unanimitas, from unanimus. unanswered 1390, from un- (1) not + pp. of answer. unapproachable 1581, of places, from un- (1) not + approach + -able. Of persons, distant, aloof, attested from 1848. unarmed 1297, from un- (1) not + pp. of arm (v.). unasked c.1255, uninvited, from un- (1) not + pp. of ask. unassisted 1614, from un- (1) not + pp. of assist. unassuming unpretentious, 1726, from un- (1) not + inf. of assume. unattached 1498, not arrested or seized, from un- (1) not + pp. of attach. Meaning not associated with any body or institution is recorded from 1796; sense of single, not engaged or married is first attested 1874. unattainable 1662, from un- (1) not + attain + -able. unattractive 1775, from un- (1) not + attractive (see attract). unauthorized 1596, from un- (1) not + pp. of authorize. unavailable 1549, ineffectual, from un- (1) not + avail + -able. Meaning incapable of being used is recorded from 1855. Unavailing (1670) has taken up the older sense of the word. unavoidable 1577, from un- (1) not + avoid + -able. unawares 1535, without being aware, from un- (1) not + aware + adverbial genitive -s. Meaning without being noticed is recorded from 1667. Form unaware is recorded from 1592. unbalanced 1650, from un- (1) not + pp. of balance. Earliest use is in ref. to the mind, judgment, etc. Of material things, it is recorded from 1732. unbearable c.1449, from un- (1) not + bear (v.) + -able. unbeaten c.1275, not beaten or struck, from un- (1) + pp. of beat. In the sense of undefeated it is first recorded 1757. unbecoming 1598, from un- (1) not + becoming fitting (see become). unbeknownst 1848, vulgar formation from unbeknown (1636). No clear reason for the -st, but since 19c. this has become the dominant form. unbelief c.1160, absence or lack of religious belief, from un- (1) not + belief. Unbelievable is first attested 1548; unbeliever infidel is recorded from 1526. unbend to relax a bow by unstringing it, c.1250, from un- (2) + bend. Fig. meaning to become genial, relax (1748) has a sense opposite to that of unbending inflexible, obstinate (1688), which does not derive from the bowstringing image. unbeseeming 1583, not befitting, inappropriate, from un- (1) not + beseeming. A common 17c. word. unbiased 1607, lit., in ref to throws at bowls, from un- (1) not + pp. of bias. Fig. sense of impartial, unprejudiced is recorded from 1647. unbidden O.E. unbedene, not asked or invited, from un- (1) not + pp. of bid. Cf. M.Du. ongebeden, Ger. ungebeten, O.N. ubeinn. unbind O.E. unbindan, to free from binding, from un- (2) + bind. Cf. Ger. entbinden, Du. ontbinden. Lit. and fig. senses both present in O.E. Su hut u unbindes ofer