UDI, noun

/juː diː ˈaɪ/
Origin:
Initial letters of Unilateral Declaration of Independence, first used of Prime Minister Ian Smith’s declaration of Rhodesian independence, on 11 November 1965.
a. transferred sense. Any unilateral declaration of political independence. b. figurative. Any move to self-sufficiency without consultation or mutual agreement.
[1965 Time 5 Nov. 41Wilson turned to another tack: subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints of the dangers of U.D.I. If Rhodesians felt they could break with Britain and escape hardships, they were wrong.]
1978 E. Prov. Herald 26 Feb. 1A report expected today..and a Cabinet meeting tomorrow could finally decide whether South Africa will go it alone with a South West Africa UDI.
1979 Drum Feb. 24They all decided to stay on, but declared an editorial UDI saying that the editorial department and the editorial department alone would dictate editorial policy.
1979 A. Kumalo in Drum Mar. 17He tried to salvage the situation by allowing us to declare editorial UDI; that we were to decide policy and call the tune without any interference.
1979 Capetonian May 8In consultation with..Capeys of all races and provenances whose hearts are in the right place, namely Milnerton Racecourse.., I hereby announce our intention of declaring UDI.
1979 Sunday Tribune 3 June 30Last year, in what amounted to a UDI, Chief Hadebe declared himself a monarch and petitioned the Government with a demand for a separate homeland, saying that he wanted nothing more to do with KwaZulu.
1981 Rand Daily Mail 30 June 1South Africa will not allow a UDI in SWA ‘by giving full executive powers to the Ministers’ Council.’
1985 Style Apr. 32Mr Joe Rabinowitz, a city councillor, mooted the idea of Sea Point declaring UDI.
1988 Cape Times 25 Mar. 1Savimbi declares UDI.
Any unilateral declaration of political independence.
Any move to self-sufficiency without consultation or mutual agreement.
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acronyms
figurative or allusive
UDF, nounn.2UDW, nounn.
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