unanimous

Definitions

This un- is Latin unus (one), not the negative un-. unus (one) + anim (spirit, mind) + -ous = 'of one spirit.' A unanimous group shares a single mind — complete agreement, no dissent.

Why It Means This

The most useful thing to know about unanimous is that the 'un-' is a false friend. It looks like the un- in unhappy or unfair, but it is unus (one). Unanimous is positive — everyone agrees — not negative.

Common Collocations

• 1.unanimous decision一致决定
• 2.unanimous verdict一致裁决
• 3.unanimous vote全票通过
• 4.unanimous agreement一致同意
• 5.near-unanimous几近一致的

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The jury reached a unanimous verdict after an hour.

• 2.

  The proposal won unanimous support from the board.

Easily Confused

unanimous vs anonymous — they look and sound similar but are unrelated. unanimous = of one mind, everyone agrees (un-anim-ous). anonymous = without a name (an-onym-ous, from Greek onoma). A unanimous vote is fully agreed; an anonymous vote hides who voted.