单词 | un- |
释义 | un- 1. prefix.   1. added to adjectives and participles and their derivative nouns and adverbs, meaning: a not: denoting the absence of a quality or state (unusable; uncalled-for; uneducated; unfailing; unofficially; unhappiness). b the reverse of, usu. with an implication of approval or disapproval, or with some other special connotation (unselfish; unsociable; unscientific). Usage Words formed in this way often have neutral counterparts in non- (see NON- 6) and counterparts in -in (see IN-(1)), e.g. unadvisable.   2. (less often) added to nouns, meaning 'a lack of' (unrest; untruth). Usage The number of words that can be formed with this prefix (and similarly with un-(2)) is potentially as large as the number of adjectives in use; consequently only a selection, being considered the most current or semantically noteworthy, can be given here. Etymology: OE f. Gmc, rel. to L in- 2. prefix added to verbs and (less often) nouns, forming verbs denoting:   1. the reversal or cancellation of an action or state (undress; unlock; unsettle).   2. deprivation or separation (unmask).   3. release from (unburden; uncage).   4. causing to be no longer (unman). Usage See the note at un-(1). Both un-(1) and un-(2) can be understood in some forms in -able, -ed (especially), and -ing: for example, undressed can mean either 'not dressed' or 'no longer dressed'. Etymology: OE un-, on- f. Gmc |
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