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.
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.
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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. — 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.
Un"ion*ism (?), n. 1. The sentiment of attachment to a federal union,
especially to the federal union of the United States.
2. The principles, or the system, of combination among workmen engaged
in the same occupation or trade.
Un"ion*ist, n. 1. One who advocates or promotes union; especially a
loyal supporter of a federal union, as that of the United States.