Note: Union differs from connection, as it implies that the
bodies are in contact, without an inter?ening body;
whereas things may be connected by the in???vention of
a third body, as by a cord or chain.
2. Agreement and conjunction of mind, spirit, will,
affections, or the like; harmony; concord.
3. That which is united, or made one; something formed by a
combination or coalition of parts or members; a
confederation; a consolidated body; a league; as, the
weavers have formed a union; trades unions have become
very numerous; the United States of America are often
called the Union. --A. Hamilton.
4. A textile fabric composed of two or more materials, as
cotton, silk, wool, etc., woven together.
5. A large, fine pearl. [Obs.]
If they [pearls] be white, great, round, smooth, and
weighty . . . our dainties and delicates here at
Rome . . . call them unions, as a man would say
``singular,'' and by themselves alone. --Holland.
In the cup an union shall he throw, Richer than that
which four successive kings In Denmark's crown have
worn. --Shak.
6. A device emblematic of union, used on a national flag or
ensign, sometimes, as in the military standard of Great
Britain, covering the whole field; sometimes, as in the
flag of the United States, and the English naval and
marine flag, occupying the upper inner corner, the rest of
the flag being called the fly. Also, a flag having such a
device; especially, the flag of Great Britain.
Note: The union of the United States ensign is a cluster of
white stars, denoting the union of the States, and,
properly, equal in number to that of the States,
displayed on a blue field; the fly being composed of
alternate stripes of red and white. The union of the
British ensign is the three crosses of St. George, St.
Andrew, and St. Patrick in combination, denoting the
union of England, Scotland and Ireland, displayed on a
blue field in the national banner used on shore, on a
red, white, or blue field in naval ensigns, and with a
white border or fly in the merchant service.
7. (Mach.) A joint or other connection uniting parts of
machinery, or the like, as the elastic pipe of a tender
connecting it with the feed pipe of a locomotive engine;
especially, a pipe fitting for connecting pipes, or pipes
and fittings, in such a way as to facilitate
disconnection.
8. (Brewing) A cask suspended on trunnions, in which
fermentation is carried on.
{Hypostatic union} (Theol.) See under {Hypostatic}.
{Latin union}. See under {Latin}.
{Legislative Union} (Eng. Hist.), the union of Great Britain
and Ireland, which took place Jan. 1, 1801.
{Union}, or {Act of Union} (Eng. Hist.), the act by which
Scotland was united to England, or by which the two
kingdoms were incorporated into one, in 1707.
{Union by the first}, or {second}, {intention}. (Surg.) See
{To heal by the first, or second, intention}, under
{Intention}.
{Union down} (Naut.), a signal of distress at sea made by
reversing the flag, or turning its union downward.
{Union jack}. (Naut.) See {Jack}, n., 10.
{Union joint}. (Mech.)
(a) A joint formed by means of a union.
(b) A piece of pipe made in the form of the letter T.
Syn: Unity; junction; connection; concord; alliance;
coalition; combination; confederacy.
Usage: {Union}, {Unity}. Union is the act of bringing two or
more things together so as to make but one, or the
state of being united into one. Unity is a state of
simple oneness, either of essence, as the unity of
God, or of action, feeling, etc., as unity of design,
of affection, etc. Thus, we may speak of effecting a
union of interests which shall result in a unity of
labor and interest in securing a given object.
One kingdom, joy, and union without end.
--Milton.
[Man] is to . . . beget Like of his like, his
image multiplied. In unity defective; which
requires Collateral love, and dearest amity.
--Milton.