ˈju:njən n. 1 a
the act or an
instance of uniting; the
state of
being united. b (the Union)
hist. the uniting of the
English and Scottish crowns in 1603, of the English and Scottish parliaments in 1707, or of
Great Britain and Ireland in 1801. 2 a a
whole resulting
from the
combination of parts or members. b a
political unit formed in
this way,
esp. the
US, the
UK, the
USSR, or
South Africa. 3 =
trade union. 4
marriage,
matrimony. 5
concord,
agreement (lived
together in
perfect union). 6 (Union) a a
general social club and debating
society at
some universities and colleges. b the buildings or
accommodation of
such a society. 7
Math. the
totality of the members of
two or
more sets. 8
Brit. hist. a two or more parishes consolidated
for the
administration of the
poor laws. b (in full union workhouse) a
workhouse erected by this. 9 Brit. an
association of
independent (esp.
Congregational or Baptist) churches for purposes of
cooperation. 10 a
part of a flag
with a
device emblematic of union,
normally occupying the upper
corner next to the staff. 11 a
joint or
coupling for pipes etc. 12 a
fabric of
mixed materials, e.g.
cotton with
linen or
silk. øunion-bashing Brit. colloq.
active opposition to trade unions and
their rights. union
catalogue a catalogue of the combined holdings of
several libraries. union down (of a flag) hoisted with the union
below as a signal of
distress. Union
Jack (or flag) the
national ensign of the United
Kingdom formed by the union of the crosses of St
George, St Andrew, and St Patrick. union jack (in the US) a jack consisting of the union from the national flag. union
shop a shop,
factory, trade,
etc., in
which employees must
belong to a trade union or
join one within an agreed
time. union
suit US a
single undergarment for the
body and legs; combinations. [ME f. OF union or eccl.L unio
unity f. L unus one]