unprecedented
Meaning: Never done, known, or experienced before; without previous example or parallel.
Unprecedented describes situations, actions, or events that have no historical precedent. 'Unprecedented levels of,' 'an unprecedented step,' and 'unprecedented in scale' are standard collocations. The word gained particular currency during the Covid-19 pandemic and is sometimes criticised as overused in journalism. In legal contexts, 'unprecedented' carries genuine weight, since the common law system relies heavily on precedent. It is neutral in tone — unprecedented events can be positive or negative.
Examples
- The floods caused unprecedented damage to infrastructure across the region. 洪水对该地区的基础设施造成了前所未有的破坏。Las inundaciones causaron daños sin precedentes en las infraestructuras de toda la región.洪水は地域全体のインフラに前例のない被害をもたらした。홍수는 지역 전체의 인프라에 전례 없는 피해를 초래했다.
- The government took the unprecedented step of guaranteeing all bank deposits. 政府采取了前所未有的举措,为所有银行存款提供担保。El Gobierno adoptó la medida sin precedentes de garantizar todos los depósitos bancarios.政府は全銀行預金を保証するという前例のない措置を講じた。정부는 모든 은행 예금을 보증하는 전례 없는 조치를 취했다.
- Demand for the vaccine reached unprecedented levels in the first quarter of the year. 第一季度疫苗需求达到了前所未有的水平。La demanda de la vacuna alcanzó niveles sin precedentes en el primer trimestre del año.ワクチンへの需要は、その年の第1四半期に前例のない水準に達した。백신에 대한 수요는 그해 1분기에 전례 없는 수준에 도달했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, professional, academic
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From un- (not) + precedented, from precedent, from Latin praecedentem (going before), present participle of praecedere (to go before), from prae- (before) + cedere (to go). First attested in English in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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