1802, from Modern Latin unilateralis, from unum, neuter of unus "one" (see one) + latus (genitive lateralis) "side" (see oblate (n.)). Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) may have been the first to use it in the legal sense of "made or entered into by one party." Related: Unilaterally. Unilateral disarmament is recorded from 1929.
It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism, while the wolf remains of a different opinion. [William Ralph Inge, "Outspoken Essays," 1919]
雙語例句
1. Unpopular policies such as unilateral disarmament were ditched.
諸如單邊裁軍之類不得人心的政策已被廢除了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. a unilateral declaration of independence
單方麵宣布獨立
來自《權威詞典》
3. Let's put it to the question. How many people here are in favour of unilateral disarmament ？
讓我們暢所欲言, 這兒有多少人讚成單方麵裁軍?
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
4. The Chinese Government never regards aid to other countries as a kind of unilateral alms but as sth. mutual.
中國政府從來不把對外援助看作是單方麵的恩賜,而認為援助是相互的.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
5. In the first two cases the reaction is unilateral.