WordLens

unilateral

1 of 1adjective
/ˌjunəˈlætərəl/
1

(of an action) taken by only one side or group involved in a situation

  • In a move that surprised its trading partners, the government imposed a unilateral trade embargo, restricting imports from a specific country without prior negotiation.
  • As a gesture of goodwill, the country declared a unilateral ceasefire, temporarily halting military operations without expecting a reciprocal response.
  • By exercising veto power, the president took a unilateral action to block the legislation, triggering surprise and disagreement among lawmakers.
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2

related to tracing the line of one's ancestors only through one gender

  • Unilateral descent is a system of kinship in which descent can be traced through only one gender.
  • The unilateral nature of inheritance in the clan ensures that property and prestige pass down through specific family lines.