ˈyünəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English unite, from Old French unité, from Latin unitat-, unitas, from unus one + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at one
1.
a. : the quality or state of being or consisting of one : oneness , singleness
b.
(1) : a definite quantity or aggregate of quantities or magnitudes taken as one or for which 1 is made to stand in calculation
in a table of natural sines the radius of the circle is regarded as unity
(2) : the singular multiplier in any system multiplication by which leaves the multiplicand unchanged and which is distinguished from a unit in not entering into addition
in any system there may be many units (as 1 and i in complex numbers) yet only one if any unity
(3) archaic : unit 1a(1)
2.
a. : a condition of concordant harmony : the state of those that are in full agreement : accord
attaining unity of purpose through thorough discussion
living in contented unity
b. : continuity without deviation or change (as in purpose or action) : absence of diversity
3.
a. : the quality or state of being made one : a uniting into one : unification
the strength that lies in unity
seeking unity with the several groups in order that they might become a more effective competitor in world markets
b. : a combination or ordering of parts in a literary or artistic production such as to constitute a whole or promote an undivided total effect : the reference of the elements of a composition to a single main idea or point of view ; also : conformity to this principle or the singleness of effect or symmetry and consistency of style and character secured
4.
a. : the quality or state of constituting a whole and especially one organized from distinguishable parts or elements
b. : a totality of related parts : an entity that is a complex or systematic whole — compare organic 5b
5. : any of four peculiar characteristics of an estate held by several in joint tenancy according to which joint tenants have one and the same interest accruing by one and the same conveyance, commencing at the same time, and held by one and the same undivided possession
6. : any of three principles governing the structure of drama, derived by writers of the French classical school from the Aristotelian canon, and as rigidly formulated requiring the action of a play to be represented as occurring in one place within one day, and with nothing irrelevant to the plot — called also respectively unity of place, unity of time, unity of action
7. usually capitalized : a 20th century American religious movement that utilizes for the most part a conservative Protestant Christian theology in its teachings but adds the two distinctive doctrines of reincarnation and the regeneration of the body, and emphasizes health, successful living, and prosperity