Which text uses the word unique in its traditional sense?
Judith made all of her daughter's baby clothes by hand, including a unique hand-knitted romper that she designed herself. Judith wanted her daughter to have a unique name, so she browsed baby name websites for months to find the perfect one.
Words change in meaning when speakers begin using them in new ways. For example, the word peruse once only meant to examine in detail, but it's now also commonly used to mean to look through in a casual manner.
When a word changes in meaning, its correct usage is often debated. Although a newer sense of the word may be more commonly used, many people consider a word's traditional definition to be the correct usage. Being able to distinguish the different uses of a word can help you use it appropriately for different audiences.
Britney perused her notes, carefully preparing for her exam.
The traditional usage above is considered more standard.
David perused the magazine, absentmindedly flipping through the pages.
The nontraditional usage above is now commonly used, but traditional style guides generally advise against it.
The second text uses unique in its traditional sense: being the only one of its kind.
Judith made all of her daughter's baby clothes by hand, including a unique hand-knitted romper that she designed herself.
The first text uses unique in its nontraditional sense: interesting or unusual. Judith may have been looking for an unusual name, but if she found it on a baby name website, it is not actually one of a kind.
Judith wanted her daughter to have a unique name, so she browsed baby name websites for months to find the perfect one.
Most style guides recommend to use the traditional sense of the word unique because it is considered more standard.