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Difficulty: MediumCommon Prefixes

The commander made a unilateral decision when communication with allied headquarters was severed. What does the word unilateral most nearly mean in this context?

  1. A
    Mutually agreed upon by all parties
  2. B
    Involving every member of an organization
  3. Undertaken by one party independentlyAnswer
  4. D
    Not permitted under official regulations

Answer

Undertaken by one party independently
The word 'unilateral' derives from the prefix 'uni-', meaning 'one' or 'single', and the root 'lateral', meaning 'side'. In the sentence, a unilateral decision refers to an action executed independently by one party without the participation or consent of others.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prefix and root components of the target word.
The word consists of the Latin prefix 'uni-' (meaning 'one' or 'single') and the root 'lateral' (meaning 'side').
Breaking down the word into its morphological components clarifies its foundational meaning.
2
Combine the morphological breakdown with the provided context.
A 'unilateral' decision is one made solely by one party or side without coordination with others.
When communications were severed, the commander had to make a single-sided, independent decision.

Key Concept

Prefix 'uni-' (one/single)
Estimated Time:45s
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Common Prefixes

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