GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Un-. [OE. un-, on-, the unaccented form of the accented prefix and- (cf. Answer); akin to D. ont-, G. ent-, OHG. int-, Goth. and-. See Anti-.] An inseparable verbal prefix or particle. It is prefixed: (a) To verbs to express the contrary, and not the simple negative, of the action of the verb to which it is prefixed; as in unbend, uncoil, undo, unfold. (b) To nouns to form verbs expressing privation of the thing, quality, or state expressed by the noun, or separation from it; as in unchild, unsex. Sometimes particles and participial adjectives formed with this prefix coincide in form with compounds of the negative prefix un- (see 2d Un-); as in undone (from undo), meaning unfastened, ruined; and undone (from 2d un- and done) meaning not done, not finished. Un- is sometimes used with an intensive force merely; as in unloose.
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   ☞ Compounds of this prefix are given in full in their proper order in the Vocabulary.
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2.       
   Un-. [OE. & AS. un-; akin to OFries. un-, D. on-, OS., OHG., & G. un-, Icel. ō-, ū-, Sw. o-, Dan. u-, W. an-, L. in-, Gr. , , Skr. an-, a-. √193.  Cf. A- not In- not, No, adv.] An inseparable prefix, or particle, signifying not; in-; non-. In- is prefixed mostly to words of Latin origin, or else to words formed by Latin suffixes; un- is of much wider application, and is attached at will to almost any adjective, or participle used adjectively, or adverb, from which it may be desired to form a corresponding negative adjective or adverb, and is also, but less freely, prefixed to nouns. Un- sometimes has merely an intensive force; as in unmerciless, unremorseless.
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   I. Un- is prefixed to adjectives, or to words used adjectively. Specifically: --
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   (a) To adjectives, to denote the absence of the quality designated by the adjective; as, --
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