union-n; 10 Senses

Sense Number 1: an organization of individuals formed to create bargaining power

Commentary: UNION[+social][+organization][+bargaining]

Examples:
The pilots union has cut a deal with management not to decrease pay scales.
Unions are frequently on strike in Italy.
The African-American student union is circulating a letter in support of Dr. Jones' getting tenure.
John opened an account at the credit union.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: the United States, especially the North during the Civil War

Commentary: UNION[+nation][+name][+instance_of]

Examples:
Lincoln devoted his presidency to preserving the Union.
Union soldiers marched across Georgia under the command of General Sherman.
Tonight the President will deliver a speech on the state of the Union.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2

Sense Number 3: sexual mating

Commentary: UNION[+activity][+copulation]

Examples:
He contracted a disease from a casual union with a woman he met on the cruise.
The union of some insect species ends with the female devouring the male.
The union of two thoroughbreds resulted in this beautiful championship colt.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 4: a figurative juxtaposition of elements or things

Commentary: UNION[+state][+joined][+figurative][+juxtaposition]

Examples:
It was surprising to see this sudden turnaround in the union of formerly opposing political forces.
This novel is a strange union of bodice ripper and science-fiction noir.
The astrologer thought the union of Venus and the moon in the evening sky was portentous.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 4, 11

Sense Number 5: the state of matrimony

Commentary: UNION[+state][+social][+matrimony]

Examples:
Gay couples may have civil unions in Vermont.
They put on a big wedding for the union of their daughter to the prominent young Senator.
The society columns are filled with stories of ongoing celebrity unions and divorces.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 5

Sense Number 6: the fusion or melding of physical parts

Commentary: UNION[+state][+physical][+melded]

Examples:
This interesting material is a fused union of metals caused by a lightening strike.
The sauce is made from a union of Normandy butter beaten into a port-laced duck stock reduction.
The x-ray revealed that the bones had not yet formed a solid union along the break.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 6, 9

Sense Number 7: politically separate peoples joined in a federation

Commentary: UNION[+social][+federation][+political][+republic/+sovereignty]

Examples:
Is Iceland a member of the European Union?
The USSR was a union of Soviet socialist republics.
These countries have formed a customs union to promote free trade among the member nations.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 7

Sense Number 8: the inclusion of all members of mathematical sets

Commentary: UNION[+state][+mathematical][+set]

Examples:
The union of elements 'a b c' and elements '1 2 3' is 'a b c 1 2 3'.
The teacher drew a union with Venn diagrams.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 8

Sense Number 9: an emblem on a flag, a portion of the flag

Commentary: UNION[+artifact][+flag][+emblem]

Examples:
The union is usually indicated on the inner upper corner of a flag.
The union of that flag is very pretty.

Mappings:
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 10

Sense Number 10: a college building which provides student services

Commentary: UNION[+artifact][+building][+college][+service]

Examples:
Let's meet on the first floor of the student union.
Our student union is an old brick Gothic structure.

Mappings:
WordNet 0.0 Sense Numbers: 2c-2