adj. Of, living in, or situated in a town or city. [latin urbs city]
- guerrilla n. Terrorist operating in an urban area.
URINE
n. Waste fluid secreted by the kidneys and discharged from the bladder. [latin urina]
USAGE
in sense 1, unique cannot be qualified by adverbs such as absolutely, most, and quite. The use of unique in sense 2 is regarded as incorrect by some people.
- in the last two examples of sense 2 whom is correct, but who is common in less formal contexts.
- more fanciful phrase-based combinations, such as employment-wise (= as regards employment) are restricted to informal contexts.
- n. - use, treatment (damaged by rough usage).
- customary practice, esp. In the use of a language or as creating a precedent in law.
- see note at exceptionable.
- see note at exceptionable.
- see note at un-1.
- see note at unsocial.
- see note at while.
- see note at zoology.
- some people reject sense 2 of verbal as illogical, and prefer oral. However, verbal is the usual term in expressions such as verbal communication, verbal contract, and verbal evidence.
- the number of words that can be formed with this prefix (and with un-2) is virtually unlimited; consequently only a selection can be given here.
- the second pronunciation given for zoology, zoological, and zoologist, with the first syllable pronounced as in zoo, although extremely common, is considered incorrect by some people.
- the use of from whence rather than simply whence (as in the place from whence they came), though common, is generally considered incorrect.
- the use of this term, and social restrictions accompanying it, were declared illegal under the indian constitution in 1949.
- this symbol was superseded in the uk in 1983 by 18, but it is still used in the us.
- unsocial is sometimes confused with unsociable.
- until, as opposed to till, is used esp. At the beginning of a sentence and in formal style, e.g. Until you told me, i had no idea; he resided there until his decease.
- upon is sometimes more formal than on, but is standard in once upon a time and upon my word.
- various (unlike several) cannot be used with of, as (wrongly) in various of the guests arrived late.
- venal is sometimes confused with venial, which means ‘pardonable’.
- venial is sometimes confused with venal, which means ‘corrupt’.
- worth while (two words) is used only predicatively, as in thought it worth while to ring the police, whereas worthwhile is used both predicatively and attributively.
USHER
—n. - person who shows people to their seats in a cinema, church, etc.
- doorkeeper at a court etc. —v. - act as usher to.
- (usu. Foll. By in) announce, herald, or show in. [latin ostium door]
USUAL
adj. - customary, habitual (the usual time).
- (absol., prec. By the, my, etc.) Colloq. Person's usual drink etc. as usual as (or was) usual. usually adv. [latin: related to *use]
USURP
v. Seize (a throne or power etc.) Wrongfully. usurpation n. Usurper n. [french from latin]
