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U.K. < an abbreviation of United Kingdom.

U.N. < an abbreviation of United Nations [1946].

ubeity < modern latin ubietas < latin ubi (= where) < I.E. *kwo-bhi- < *kwo-.

ubiquity < modern latin ubiquitas < latin ubique (= everywhere) < ubi (= where) (< I.E. *kwo-bhi- < *kwo-) + que (= and) (< I.E. *kwe (= and)).

udder < old english udder < proto-germanic *udr- {> old norse jugr, dutch uijer, german Euter} < I.E. *eue-dh-r (= udder) {> latin uber, ancient greek ούθαρ | outhar, sanskrit udhar).

UFO < [1953] an abbreviation of Unidentified Flying Object [1950].

ugly < middle english uglike (= frightful) < scandinavian source.

UHF < an abbreviation of Ultra-High Frequency.

Ukraine < russian / polish Ukraina (= border, frontier) [so called from being as the southern frontier of Russia or Poland] < u- (= at) + krai (= edge).

ukulele < hawaiian ‘ukulele (= leaping flea) [so called from the rapid motion of the fingers in playing it] < ‘uku (= louse, flea) + lele (= to fly, jump, leap).

ulcer < middle english ulcer < old french ulcere < vulgar latin *ulcerem < latin ulcus [gen. ulceris] (= ulcer, sore).

Ulrich < old high german Uodalrich (= of a rich home) < uodal (= home, nobility) + rihhi (= ruler, rich).

ulterior < latin ulterior (= more distant, farther), comparative of *ulter (= beyond) < I.E. *al- (= beyond).

ultimate < late latin ultimatus, past participle of ultimo [inf. ultimare] (= be final, come to an end) < latin ultimus (= last, final, farthest, extreme), superlative of *ulter (= beyond) < I.E. *al- (= beyond).

ultramarine < medieval latin ultramarinus (= beyond the sea) [so called because this mineral was imported from Asia] < latin ultra- (= beyond) + marinus (= of the sea) < mare (= sea).

ululation < latin ululatio (= a howling, a wailing) < ululo [inf. ululare] (= to howl, yell, lament loudly).

Ulysses < latin Ulysses < Ulixes (= Odysseus), king of island Ithaca in Greece.

umber < middle french ombre / italian ombra < 1. latin umbra (= shade, shadow) or 2. latin Umbra, female of Umber (= belonging to Umbria) < Umbria, a region in Italy [from which this coloring matter first came] < Umbri, a nation in Italy.

umbilicus < latin umbilicus (= navel, center) < I.E. *ombh-alo- < *(o)nobh- (= navel) {> ancient greek ομφαλός | omphalos, persian naf, avestan nafa, sanskrit nabhila}.

umbrage < middle english umbrage < old french ombrage (= shade, shadow) < latin umbraticum, neuter of umbraticus (= pertaining to shade) < umbra (= shade, shadow).

umbrella < italian ombrello < late latin umbrella altered [by influence of umbra] < latin umbella (= sunshade, parasol), a diminutive of umbra (= shade, shadow).

umpire < middle english noumper < old french nonper (= odd number, not even number) [in reference to a third person, as an arbiter between two persons] < non (= not) + per (= equal) (< latin par (= equal)).

un- (= not) < proto-germanic *un- (= not) < I.E. *n- < *ne- (= not)).

uncle < middle english uncle < old french oncle < latin avunculus (= mother’s brother), a diminutive of avus (= grandfather).

uncouth < old english uncuð (= unknown, strange, unkind, rough) < un- (= not) (< proto-germanic *un- < I.E. *n- < *ne- (= not)) + cuð, past participle of cunnan (= to know).

unctuous < middle english unctuous (= oily) < old french unctueus < medieval latin unctuosus (= greasy) < latin unctus (= act of anointing) < ung(u)o [inf. ung(u)ere] (= to anoint).

under < old english under (= beneath, among, before) < proto-germanic *under- {> old norse undir, dutch onder, gothic undar, german unter} < I.E. *ndher- (= under).

underneath < old english underneoðan < under (q.v.) + neoðan (= below) (< proto-germanic *niþar (= lower, farther down)).

understand < old english understandan (= comprehend) < under (q.v.) + standan (= to stand) (< proto-germanic *standanan).

undies < a diminutive of underwear < under + wear.

UNESCO < an acronym of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [1945].

ungual < latin unguis (= claw, nail).

unguent < middle english unguent < latin unguentem (= ointment) < ung(u)o [inf. ung(u)ere] (= to anoint).

Uniate < russian uniyat < unia (= unity, union) < latin unus (= one).

UNICEF < an acronym of United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund [1946].

unicorn < middle english unicorn < old french unicorne < late latin unicornus < latin unicornis (= having one horn) < uni- (< latin unus (= one)) + cornus (= horn).

uniform < middle french uniforme < latin uniformis (= having only one form) < uni- (< latin unus (= one)) + forma (= form).

unify < middle french unifier / late latin unificio [inf. unificare] (= make one) < latin uni- (< latin unus (= one)) + facio [inf. facere] (= make, do).

unilateral < modern latin unilateralis < unus (= one) + latus [gen. lateris] (= the side, flank, lateral surface).

union < middle english union < anglo-french unioun / old french union < late latin unio (= unity) < unus (= one) < I.E. *oi-no- (= one, unique).

unique < middle french unique < latin unicus (= only, single, sole) < unus (= one) < I.E. *oi-no- (= one, unique).

unison < middle french unisson (= unison, accord of sound) / medieval latin unisonus (= having one sound) < late latin unisonius (= monotonous) < latin uni- (< latin unus (= one)) + sonus (= sound).

unit < unity [on the model of digit] < middle english unity < anglo-french unite / old french unite (= uniqueness) < latin unitas (= oneness, sameness) < unus (= one) < I.E. *oi-no- (= one, unique).

unitarian < modern latin unitarius < latin unitas (= oneness, sameness) (< unus (= one)) + [suffix] -ian.

unite < middle english unite < late latin unitus, past participle of unire (= to unite, make into one) < latin unus (= one) < I.E. *oi-no- (= one, unique).

unity < middle english unity < anglo-french unite / old french unite (= uniqueness) < latin unitas (= oneness, sameness) < unus (= one) < I.E. *oi-no- (= one, unique).

universe < old french univers < latin universum (= all things, everybody, all people, the whole world) < universum, neuter of universus (= all in one, whole, entire) < unus (= one) + versus, past participle of verto [inf. vertere] (= to turn).

university < middle english university < anglo-french université / old frenchuniversite (= universality, academic community) < medieval latin universitas (= the whole, aggregate) < late latin universitas (= corporation, society) < universus (= all in one, whole, entire) < unus (= one) + versus, past participle of verto [inf. vertere] (= to turn).

unkempt < un- (= not) (< proto-germanic *un- < I.E. *n- < *ne- (= not)) + kempt (= well-combed, neat), past participle of middle english kemben (= to comb) (< old english cemban (= to comb) < proto-germanic *kambijan < *kamb- (= comb)).

unless < middle english unless < onlesse < [not] on lesse [than] (= [not] on a less [than]).

until < middle english until < un- (= as far as, up to) (< old norse *und (= as far as) < proto-germanic *und-) + till (< 1. middle english till < anglo-french tylle (= compartment) / old french tille (= compartment) < (?) old norse þilja (= plank) < proto-germanic *theljon or 2. middle english tillen (= to draw) < old english -tyllan (= to draw).).

up < old english up / uppe < proto-germanic *upp- (= up) {> old norse upp, danish op, dutch op, german auf, ob} < I.E. *upo (= under, over).

upholsterer < middle english upholdester < upholder (= dealer in small goods) (< upholden (= to repair, uphold) < up + hold) + [diminutive suffix] -ster.

upon < middle english upon < old english uppan (= upon, up to, against) < up + on.

upward(s) < old english upweard(es) (= up, upward, toward heaven) < up + [suffix] -ward (< old english -weard (= toward) < proto-germanic *werda-).

Ural < (?) 1. vogul urala (= mountain peak) < ur (= mountain) + ala (= peak, roof) or 2. tatar ural (= boundary).

Urania < latin Urania < ancient greek Ουρανία | Ourania < ουρανία, female of ουράνιος | ouranios (= heavenly) < ουρανός | ouranos (= heaven, sky).

uranium < modern latin uranium [named in 1789 for the recently found (1781) planet Uranus] < latin Uranus < ancient greek Ουρανός | Ouranos (= heaven, sky), a god, father of the Titans.

Uranus < latin Uranus < ancient greek Ουρανός | Ouranos (= heaven, sky), a god, father of the Titans.

urban < latin urbanus (= pertaining to a city) < urbs [gen. urbis] (= city, walled town).

urchin < middle english yrichon (= hedgehog) < old french *irechon < old french herichun (= hedgehog) < vulgar latin *hericio < latin ericius (= hedgehog).

uremia < modern latin uremia < ancient greek ούρον | ouron (= urine) + ‘αίμα | ^haema (= blood).

urethra < late latin urethra < ancient greek ουρήθρα | ourēthra (= the passage for urine) < ουρώ | ourō (= to urinate) < ούρον | ouron (= urine).

urge < latin urg(u)eo [inf. urgere] (= to press hard, push forward, force).

urine < middle english urine < old french orine / urine < latin urina (= urine) < I.E. *ur- {> ancient greek ούρον | ouron}.

url < [1990] an acronym of uniform resource locator.

urn < middle english urn (= vase to preserve the ashes of the dead) < latin urna (= jar, water-jar; vessel for the ashes of the dead).

Ursa < old english Ursa < latin ursa (= she-bear).

ursprache < german Ursprache (= proto-language) < ur- (= out of) + sprache (= speech).

Ursula < latin Ursula, a diminutive of ursa (= she-bear).

Uruguay < spanish Uruguay, a river < american indian uru (= bird) + guay (= tail).

us < old english us, accusative and dative plural of we < I.E. *nes-₍₂₎ (= we).

U.S.A. < an abbreviation of United States of America.

usb < [1994] an acronym of universal serial bus.

use < middle english use < old french user (= employ, make use of, practice) < vulgar latin *uso [inf. usare] (= use) < latin utor [inf. uti] (= make use of, profit by, enjoy, apply).

usher < middle english usher < anglo-french usser / old french u(i)ssier (= porter, doorman) < vulgar latin *ustiarius (= doorkeeper) < latin ostiarius (= door-keeper) < ostium (= door, entrance) < os [gen. oris] (= mouth) < I.E. *os- (= mouth).

U.S.S.R. < an acronym of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

usufruct < late latin usufructus < usus et fructus (= use [and] enjoyment) < latin usus (= a use) (< utor [inf. uti] (= make use of)) + fructus (= fruit, enjoyment).

usurp < middle english usurp < old french usurper (= to wrongfully appropriate) < latin usurparo [inf. usurpare] (= make use of, seize for use) < usus (= a use) (< utor [inf. uti] (= make use of)) + rapio [inf. rapere] (= to seize).

utensil < middle english utensil < old french utensile (= implement) < latin utensilia (= materials, things for use) < utensilia, neuter plural of utensilis (= fit for use, useful) < utor [inf. uti] (= make use of).

uterus < middle english uterus < latin uterus (= womb, belly) < I.E. *udero- (= abdomen, womb, stomach).

utile < middle english utile < old french utile (= useful) < latin utilis (= useful, beneficial) < utor [inf. uti] (= make use of).

utopia < modern latin Utopia (= nowhere) [coined and used as title of his book by Thomas More (1516)] < ancient greek ου | ou (= not) + τόπος | topos (= place).

utter < middle english utter (< middle dutch uteren / middle low german utern (= to turn out, show, speak) < uter (= outer), comparative of ut (= out)) + middle english outen (= to disclose) (< old english utan (= to put out) < ut (= out)).

UV < an abbreviation of UltraViolet [1928].

uvula < middle english uvula < late latin uvula < latin uvola (= small bunch of grapes), a diminutive of uva (= grape) [so called from resemblance of this organ to small grape].

uxorious < latin uxorius (= pertaining to a wife, devoted to a wife, ruled by a wife) < uxor [gen. uxoris] (= wife).