UN headquarters in New York.
An example of UN is the UN Council, or the United Nations Security Council.
Origin of un-Middle English from OE, akin to Classical Greek an-, a- (see a-, an-), Classical Latin in- (see in-), and to the negative elements in no, not, nor not, lack of, the opposite of: unconcern, unreason, unwonted
Origin of un-ME un-, on- < OE un-, on-, and-, back, akin to Ger ent-, Du ont- back; the reverse or removal of: added to verbs to indicate a reversal of the action and to nouns to indicate a removal or release of the thing mentioned or from the condition, place, etc. indicated, and sometimes used merely as an intensive [unbind, unfold; unbonnet, unbosom; unloose]
- Not: unhappy.
- Opposite of; contrary to: unrest.
Origin of un-Middle English from Old English; see ne in Indo-European roots.
Usage Note: There are two prefixes spelled un- in English. One has the basic meaning “not” and attaches chiefly to adjectives ( unable, unclean, unequal, unripe, unsafe ) and participles used as adjectives ( unfeeling, unflinching, unfinished, unsaid ). Less frequently, it attaches to nouns ( unbelief, unconcern, unrest ). Sometimes the noun form of an adjective with the un- prefix has the prefix in-, as in inability, inequality, injustice, and instability. A few stems appear with both prefixes with distinctions of meaning. Inhuman means “brutal, monstrous,” while unhuman means “not of human form, superhuman.” • When used with adjectives, un- often has a sense distinct from that of non-. Non- picks out the set of things that are not in the category denoted by the stem to which it is attached, whereas un- picks out properties unlike those of the typical examples of the category. Thus nonmilitary personnel are those who are not members of the military, whereas someone who is unmilitary is unlike a typical soldier in dress, habits, or attitudes. • The other prefix un- is not related, despite its common origin in Old English. It forms verbs and expresses removal, reversal, or deprivation: undress, unravel, unnerve. This un- is in fact related to the Greek prefix anti-, “against, opposite, in return,” which appears in English as the prefix anti-.
- To reverse or undo the result of a specified action: unbind.
- a. To deprive of or remove a specified thing: unfrock.b. To release, free, or remove from: unyoke.
- Used as an intensive: unloose.
Origin of un-Middle English from Old English on- alteration ( influenced by un- not ) of ond-, and-, an- against, opposing ; see ant- in Indo-European roots.
- (dialectal) One.
Representing non-standard pronunciation of one.
From Latin ūnus (“one”)
un - Computer Definition
An association of nations with stated goals, including uniting the strength of nations to maintain international peace and security, and promoting the economic and social advancement of all peoples.With respect to telecommunications, the UN system of organizations includes the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which establishes standards in the wireline and radio sectors, manages the global frequency spectrum, and works to improve infrastructure in developing nations. See also ITU.