Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having the nature of a single, undivided whole: Describes something that forms a single, complete, and indivisible unit.
   • Relating to a system of government where power is concentrated in a central authority: Pertaining to a political structure where governing power is held by a single, central body, as opposed to being shared with regional authorities.
   • Involving or based on a single unit of measurement: Concerned with the use of a single, defined unit as a standard for calculation or measurement.
   • Aimed at or promoting unity: Characterized by principles or efforts that seek to create or maintain oneness and cohesion.

Usage Examples

• As an indivisible unit:

  • The team functioned as a unitary body, making all decisions collectively.
  • He argued that consciousness is a unitary experience, not easily broken down into parts.

• In government/politics:

  • France has a unitary state, with most political power residing in Paris.
  • The proposed constitution would replace the federal system with a more unitary form of governance.

• In mathematics/measurement:

  • The unitary method in arithmetic solves problems by first finding the value of a single unit.
  • Scientists established a unitary distance to standardize their astronomical calculations.

• Promoting unity:

  • The leader's speech emphasized unitary principles to strengthen national identity.
  • The political party was founded on a unitary movement that transcended regional differences.

Advanced Usage

• "Unitary state": A sovereign state governed as a single entity where the central government is supreme.

  • Japan is a classic example of a unitary state.

• "Unitary executive theory": A doctrine in constitutional law asserting that all executive power must be vested in the President without exception.

  • The legal debate centered on the interpretation of the unitary executive theory.

• "Unitary operator": In mathematics and physics, an operator that preserves the inner product, crucial in quantum mechanics.

  • Time evolution in a closed quantum system is described by a unitary operator.

Variants and Related Words

• Unit (n): A single, individual thing or person regarded as complete in itself or as part of a whole.

  • The apartment building contains twenty residential units.

• Unite (v): To come or bring together to form a single unit or whole.

  • The common goal served to unite the diverse group.

• Unity (n): The state of being united or joined as a whole.

  • The project required the unity of all departments to succeed.

Synonyms

• Centralized: (For government) Having power and control concentrated in a single central place or authority.
• Consolidated: Brought together into a single, more coherent whole.
• Indivisible: Unable to be divided or separated.
• Homogeneous: Of the same kind; alike.

Antonyms

• Federal: Relating to a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units (e.g., states).
• Decentralized: Having administrative powers distributed away from a central authority.
• Composite: Made up of various parts or elements.
• Fragmented: Broken into separate, often disconnected, parts.

Adjective

1. having the indivisible character of a unit
   • a unitary action
   • spoke with one voice
2. characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is held by one central authority
   • a unitary as opposed to a federal form of government
3. of or pertaining to or involving the use of units
   • a unitary method was applied
   • established a unitary distance on which to base subsequent calculations
4. relating to or characterized by or aiming toward unity
   • the unitary principles of nationalism
   • a unitary movement in politics