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Origin and history of unilateral

unilateral(adj.)

"of or pertaining to one side only," 1802, from Modern Latin unilateralis, from unum, neuter of unus "one" (from PIE root *oi-no- "one, unique") + latus (genitive lateralis) "the side, flank of humans or animals, lateral surface," a word of uncertain origin.

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) may have been the first to use unilateral in the legal sense of "made or entered into by one party." Of cars parking on streets by 1945. Related: Unilaterally. Unilateral disarmament is recorded from 1914.

also from 1802

Entries linking to unilateral

unilateralism(n.)

1924, from unilateral + -ism. Usages from 1926 on often are in the sense of "advocate of unilateral disarmament." The meaning "pursuit of a foreign policy without allies" is attested by 1964.

*oi-no-

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "one, unique."

It might form all or part of: a (1) indefinite article; alone; an; Angus; anon; atone; any; eleven; inch (n.1) "linear measure, one-twelfth of a foot;" lone; lonely; non-; none; null; once; one; onion; ounce (n.1) unit of weight; quincunx; triune; unanimous; unary; une; uni-; Uniate; unilateral; uncial; unicorn; union; unique; unison; unite; unity; universal; universe; university; zollverein.

It might also be the source of: Greek oinos "ace (on dice);" Latin unus "one;" Old Persian aivam; Old Church Slavonic -inu, ino-; Lithuanian vienas; Old Irish oin; Breton un "one;" Old English an, German ein, Gothic ains "one."

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