universal Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
    linguistic universal.
  2. noun (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
    universal proposition.
  3. noun a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings
    • some form of religion seems to be a human universal
  4. noun coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions
    universal joint.
    • in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps
  5. adjective satellite of worldwide scope or applicability
    worldwide; cosmopolitan; ecumenical; general; oecumenical; world-wide.
    • an issue of cosmopolitan import
    • the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley
    • universal experience
  6. adjective satellite applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
    • the play opened to universal acclaim
    • rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys
  7. adjective satellite adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations
    • universal wrench", "universal chuck
    • universal screwdriver

WordNet


U`ni*ver"sal adjective
Etymology
L. universalis: cf. F. universel, OF. also universal. See Universe.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting, the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all-pervading; as, universal ruin; universal good; universal benevolence or benefice. "Anointed universal King." Milton.
    The universal cause Acts not by partial, but by general laws. Pope.
    This universal frame began. Dryden.
    Universal and its derivatives are used in common discourse for general and its derivatives. See General.
  2. Constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world. Shak.
    At which the universal host up dent A shout that tore Hell's concave. Milton.
  3. (Mech.) Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine.
  4. (Logic) Forming the whole of a genus; relatively unlimited in extension; affirmed or denied of the whole of a subject; as, a universal proposition; -- opposed to particular; e. g. (universal affirmative) All men are animals; (universal negative) No men are omniscient. Syn. -- General; all; whole; total. See General.
U`ni*ver"sal noun
Definitions
  1. The whole; the general system of the universe; the universe. Obs.
    Plato calleth God the cause and original, the nature and reason, of the universal. Sir W. Raleigh.
  2. (Logic) (a) A general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it. (b) A universal proposition. See Universal, a., 4.

Webster 1913