| Library / English Dictionary |
UNIQUE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Highly unusual or rare but not the single instance
Example:
a unique dining experience
Classified under:
Similar:
unusual (not usual or common or ordinary)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Radically distinctive and without equal
Example:
a breakdown of law unparalleled in our history
Synonyms:
alone; unequaled; unequalled; unique; unparalleled
Classified under:
Similar:
incomparable; uncomparable (such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared)
Derivation:
uniqueness (the quality of being one of a kind)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(followed by 'to') applying exclusively to a given category or condition or locality
Example:
a species unique to Australia
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
specific ((sometimes followed by 'to') applying to or characterized by or distinguishing something particular or special or unique)
Derivation:
uniqueness (the quality of being one of a kind)
Sense 4
Meaning:
The single one of its kind
Example:
certain types of problems have unique solutions
Synonyms:
singular; unique
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
single (existing alone or consisting of one entity or part or aspect or individual)
Derivation:
uniqueness (the quality of being one of a kind)
Context examples:
To their surprise, every cell they analyzed was genetically unique.
(Study analyzing cells' blueprints reveals new patterns in the global distribution and diversity of ocean microbes, National Science Foundation)
The 160 kD BCR phosphoprotein exhibits a unique serine/threonine kinase activity, at least two SH2 binding sites, and a C-terminal GTPase activating domain for p21(rac).
(BCR Protein, NCI Thesaurus)
The unique symbol that establishes identity of the observation result.
(Performed Observation Result Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)
As a result, ceftaroline is unique in its activity against methicillin-resistant, vancomycin-intermediate, linezolid-resistant, and daptomycin-nonsusceptible strains.
(Ceftaroline Fosamil Acetate, NCI Thesaurus)
“Your experience is, so far as I know, perfectly unique,” said he.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
“Well, it’s a unique situation as far as my experience goes,” said Berkeley Craven.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
A control number unique to an object.
(Accession Number, NCI Thesaurus)
A recent study revealed biomarker combinations in urine that are unique to prostate cancer and 2 of its stages.
(Biomarker Signatures of Prostate Cancer, NIH)
The unique identification of a package in a specific context.
(Package Identifier, NCI Thesaurus)
A non-unique textual identifier for the arm.
(Arm Name, NCI Thesaurus)
