English Words in Action, Group U
(a variety of English words which have developed through history and are currently used in our modern age)
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The mammary gland of female cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and related ungulates; mammals all of which have hooves: The farmhand wiped the udders of the cows prior to attaching the automatic milking machines.
uddered (adjective), more uddered, most uddered
A reference to the mammary glands of female animals that produce milk for their offspring: The uddered swine were separated from the male swine and placed in a protected shelter.
unalloyed (adjective), more unalloyed, most unalloyed
Pertaining to something that is not mixed with anything else: Mary had unalloyed pleasure when her daughter gave birth to her first baby.
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There are some unalloyed metals that are not blended nor mingled with others; for example, copper.
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uncanny (adjective), more uncanny, most uncanny
A reference to that which is strange and difficult to explain: Cleo had an uncanny or a mysterious feeling that she was seeing into the future.
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Uncanny powers of observation and solutions were attributed to Sherlock Holmes.
There was an uncanny silence that pervaded the old mansion when James and Isabel went to visit the place.
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uncouth (adjective), more uncouth, most uncouth
1. Descriptive of impolite or very rude behavior: When Clement started to yell at his host at the party, everyone thought he was certainly a very uncouth and uncivilized person.
2. Etymology: from Old English uncup, "unknown"; from cunnan, "to know"; an earlier form of "can".
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2. Etymology: from Old English uncup, "unknown"; from cunnan, "to know"; an earlier form of "can".
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Usually someone who is of low rank, or position, who works for a more powerful person: As a new computer technician, Earl is an underling who is supervised by a professional programmer who has had much more experience.
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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undermine (verb), undermines; undermined; undermining
Usually to make something or someone less effective or weaker: Many of the government's policies have undermined the confidence of the citizens of the country, causing some groups to express strong opposition!
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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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undue (adjective), more undue, most undue
Characteristic of something that is more than is necessary or reasonable: Sometimes there is more undue work that needs to be done on the project than is possible in the time that is allowed.
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The news on TV has been showing some undue force being used by police to disperse demonstrators in some cities; however, it is more often a result of more undue violence and destruction of businesses, etc. or of some rebellious members who are out of control.
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unfettered (adjective), more unfettered, most unfettered
1. Uncontrolled or unrestricted: The lawyer requested unfettered access to the accountant’s records.
2. Spontaneous and natural: As a comedian, Madeline had an unfettered laugh which delighted her audiences whenever she was performing.
2. Spontaneous and natural: As a comedian, Madeline had an unfettered laugh which delighted her audiences whenever she was performing.
unkempt (adjective), more unkempt, most unkempt
1. Characteristic of someone or something with an untidy, messy, sloppy, or disordered appearance: Jane's mother reminded her to clean up her unkempt room because the guests would be arriving that afternoon.
2. Disordered and uncombed hair: Susan's tresses were very unkempt and in disarray because she hadn't brushed it after coming back from her windy walk.
3. Etymology: from un-, "not: + kempt, "well combed, neat."
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2. Disordered and uncombed hair: Susan's tresses were very unkempt and in disarray because she hadn't brushed it after coming back from her windy walk.
3. Etymology: from un-, "not: + kempt, "well combed, neat."
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unlettered (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Descriptive of someone who is uneducated in general, lacks knowledge, and is incapable of understanding complex issues: Sometimes it is very difficult to find a well-paid job when a person is unlettered, is unlearned, or even illiterate.
2. Pertaining to something which is not marked with the characters of the alphabet: When walking slowly through the old cemetery looking for the tombstone or her great-great-grandmother, Janet came across an unlettered one with lots of ivy growing over it and wondered who had been buried there.
3. Etymology: un-, "not" + lettered, "knowledgeable, educated."
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2. Pertaining to something which is not marked with the characters of the alphabet: When walking slowly through the old cemetery looking for the tombstone or her great-great-grandmother, Janet came across an unlettered one with lots of ivy growing over it and wondered who had been buried there.
3. Etymology: un-, "not" + lettered, "knowledgeable, educated."
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unneighborly (adjective), more unneighborly, most unneighborly
Being unfriendly or not showing the attitudes that are expected of those who live close to each other: Estella thought it was very unneighborly of the man who lived next door to drive his truck over her new lawn and flower bed.
untangle (verb), untangles; untangled; untangling
To separate things that are twisted or knotted together: Jean's father carefully tried to untangle her hair after she went swimming and he dried her hair with a towel.
Government officials are still trying to untangle the financial mess the country is in.
untoward (adjective), more untoward, most untoward
1. Relating to the cause of misfortunes or disadvantages: Several untoward earthquakes have caused severe disasters for the country of Nepal.
2. Conveying inappropriate or bad behavior: Jake's untoward rudeness with the clerk at the store resulted in his being escorted out.
3. A reference to that which is beyond the expected or what is considered to be out of the ordinary: Jeremy had an untoward piece of luck when he was able to buy gas for his car at a low price just before it was increased to a higher rate.
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2. Conveying inappropriate or bad behavior: Jake's untoward rudeness with the clerk at the store resulted in his being escorted out.
3. A reference to that which is beyond the expected or what is considered to be out of the ordinary: Jeremy had an untoward piece of luck when he was able to buy gas for his car at a low price just before it was increased to a higher rate.
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untrammeled (adjective), more untrammeled, most untrammeled
1. A reference to something which is not limited or restricted but which is unrestrained, unhampered and refers to freedom in actions or expressions: Wild animals in zoos are not able to live an untrammeled way of life because they exist in closed areas and are not at liberty to roam without hindrances.
2. Etymology: from Latin un-, "not" + tri-, "three" + macula, "a mesh."
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2. Etymology: from Latin un-, "not" + tri-, "three" + macula, "a mesh."
Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.
Links to all of the groups of English words in action, Groups A to Z.
You may see the bibliographic list of sources of information for these words in action.
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