unitarian

[yoo-ni-tair-ee-uhn]

noun

1. a person who maintains that God is one being, rejecting the doctrine of the Trinity.

2. (initial capital letter),  a member of a liberal religious denomination founded upon the doctrine that God is one being, and giving each congregation complete control over its affairs.

3. an advocate of unity or centralization, as in government.

adjective

1. (initial capital letter),  pertaining to the Unitarians or their doctrines; accepting Unitarianism; belonging to the Unitarians.

2. unitary.

Unitarian

¹

/ ˌjuːnɪˈtɛərɪən /

noun

1. theol a person who believes that God is one being and rejects the doctrine of the Trinity

2. ecclesiast an upholder of Unitarianism, esp a member of the Church ( Unitarian Church ) that embodies this system of belief

adjective

1. of or relating to Unitarians or Unitarianism

unitarian

²

/ ˌjuːnɪˈtɛərɪən /

noun

1. a supporter of unity or centralization

adjective

1. of or relating to unity or centralization

2. another word for unitary

Other Word Forms

• nonunitarian noun
• non-Unitarian adjective
• pro-Unitarian adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Unitarian¹

1680–90; < New Latin ūnitāri ( us ) ( Latin ūnit ( ās ) unity + -ārius -ary ) + -an

Example Sentences

In 1953 Updike married Mary Pennington, a Radcliffe graduate and the daughter of a Unitarian minister.

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In a series of cases over the past 15 years, the Supreme Court has moved in an unambiguously unitarian, pro-presidential direction.

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Rev. Jason Cook, a minister at Tapestry, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, wore his traditional white collar and a colorful stole resembling stained glass when he arrived at immigration court in Santa Ana last Friday.

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Cook, the Unitarian Universalist minister in Orange County, said he attends court at least twice a week.

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Attending a May Day demonstration promoted by the First Unitarian Universalist Church, she said everyone who opposes the Trump administration should continue appealing to those friends and family members whom one "can still reach with reason."

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