uniquify

[engineer27]

As of today, this word is considered slang or colloquial:

Verb
uniquify

(rare, slang, computing) To eliminate duplicates from a list, especially when using the *nix command/function uniq.

(http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/uniquify)

However, it seems to nicely fill a void in the language. The only other similar word I can think of is "differentiate", and it doesn't really convey quite the same sense of making unique.

Can anyone else think of a well-established word that is synonymous with "uniquify"?

[Perry]

How about dundance or dundancy, as you are removing redundancy?

[engineer27]

How about dundance or dundancy, as you are removing redundancy?

While dundancy might describe the result of uniquification, it is not likely synonymous. Additionally, it has the problem of being even less recognized than uniquify. I can't find it in any dictionaries.

[engineer27]

To make it clear, I am agitating to move uniquify out of the category of slang and into the realm of accepted usage (Word-dom?), on the grounds that it fills a void in the language, currently only partly occupied by the ungainly phrase "to make unique."

If there is already a well-established word in that lexical locale, then the void doesn't exist and uniquify can stay where it is, in the bailiwick of computer nerds and word geeks (in both of which I guess I have to confess membership).

[Stargzer]

That's what's so great about English: you can verb any noun or adjective you want!

[engineer27]

That's what's so great about English: you can verb any noun or adjective you want! :roll:

Should that be verbify?

[engineer27]

Then again, I think part of the real greatness of English is that it is already so rich and abundant that one can generally find a word to express one's exact sentiment without having to resort to inventing new ones!

I am not sure which is more fun -- creating new words on the fly to suit the situation, or delving deep into the vocabulary mine for that forgotten gem that fits perfectly into the milieu of the moment. Both certainly have their attractions to verbivores like ourselves!

[Cacasenno]

That's what's so great about English: you can verb any noun or adjective you want!

Should that be verbify?

I underwrite you both

[engineer27]

I underwrite you both :)

There you provide a possible example of a Malapropism
(http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/date/2007/05/31), since the word exists, but means something else. Of course, if you intend to extend the usage of this word into new grammatical territory, you might have good cause. It would certainly fill a much needed void in the language.