ulterior
pronunciation
How to pronounce ulterior in British English:
UK [ʌlˈtɪəriə(r)]
How to pronounce ulterior in American English:
US [ʌlˈtɪrriə(r)]
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- Adjective:
- lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed (especially being kept in the background or deliberately concealed)
- beyond or outside an area of immediate interest; remote
- coming at a subsequent time or stage
Word Origin
- ulterior
- ulterior: [17] Ulterior goes back to an unrecorded Latin *ulter ‘distant’ (a relative of ultrā ‘beyond’, source of the English prefix ultra-). Its comparative form was ulterior, which meant literally ‘more distant’. Its superlative form was ultimus, which lies behind English ultimate [17] and ultimatum [18] (etymologically the ‘farthest’ or last point).=> ultimate, ultimatum
- ulterior (adj.)
- 1640s, "on the other side of," from Latin ulterior "more distant, more remote, farther, on the farther side," comparative of *ulter "beyond" (see ultra-). The sense "not at present in view or consideration" (as in ulterior motives) is attested from 1735.
Example
- 1. Extradition from britain to sweden is normally a formality , though mr assange 's lawyers argue that " ulterior motives " are at work .
- 2. China declared that his prize had been awarded with " ulterior political motives " , huffing that the award was not worthy of a comment .
- 3. He asks . " It 's when its religion , its priests , its temples and its churches are all for hiding their faith in order to achieve ulterior motives . "
- 4. I think what you have to do is show , really respectfully , that you can be trusted and that you 're there , not for an ulterior motive , but for just the right reasons .
- 5. So when I tell you about a pair of earrings that would go perfectly with that sweater , I might have an ulterior motive .