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]
双语例句
1. Unpopular policies such as unilateral disarmament were ditched.
诸如单边裁军之类不得人心的政策已被废除了。
来自柯林斯例句
2. a unilateral declaration of independence
单方面宣布独立
来自《权威词典》
3. Let's put it to the question. How many people here are in favour of unilateral disarmament ？
让我们畅所欲言, 这儿有多少人赞成单方面裁军?
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. The Chinese Government never regards aid to other countries as a kind of unilateral alms but as sth. mutual.
中国政府从来不把对外援助看作是单方面的恩赐,而认为援助是相互的.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
5. In the first two cases the reaction is unilateral.