As Faldage says are two uns: the negating un- as in uncomfortable, unkind, etc. And the un- expressing reversal or deprivation, as in untie, undone, etc.

Originally Posted By: BranShea

Like unflinching is a positive quality in general. And unbending can have a positive as well as a negative content. ( and more of this) :-)

unflinching has the negating un-, but unbending has the reversing un-. At least etymologically: unbend means something like "reverse the bend, straighten". But maybe unbending has been reanalyzed to contain the negating un-, because to me it seems to mean something like "not bending".

Last edited by goofy; 10/15/2011 6:52 PM.