universal

[ yoo-nuh-vur-suh l ]

/ ˌyu nəˈvɜr səl /

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.

applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.

affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.

used or understood by all: a universal language.

present everywhere: the universal calm of southern seas.

versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.: Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.

of or relating to the universe, all nature, or all existing things: universal cause.

characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.

Logic. (of a proposition) asserted of every member of a class.

Linguistics. found in all languages or belonging to the human language faculty.

Machinery. noting any of various machines, tools, or devices widely adaptable in position, range of use, etc.

Metalworking.

(of metal plates and shapes) rolled in a universal mill.
(of a rolling mill or rolling method) having or employing vertical edging rolls.

noun

something that may be applied throughout the universe to many things, usually thought of as an entity that can be in many places at the same time.

a trait, characteristic, or property, as distinguished from a particular individual or event, that can be possessed in common, as the care of a mother for her young.

Logic. a universal proposition.

Philosophy.

a general term or concept or the generic nature that such a term signifies; a Platonic idea or Aristotelian form.
an entity that remains unchanged in character in a series of changes or changing relations.
Hegelianism. concrete universal.

language universal.

Machinery. universal joint.

Origin of universal

1325–75; Middle English universel (adj.) < Middle French < Latin ūniversālis. See universe, -al¹

synonym study for universal

5. See general.

OTHER WORDS FROM universal

u·ni·ver·sal·ness, noun non·u·ni·ver·sal, adjective, noun non·u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverb qua·si-u·ni·ver·sal, adjective

qua·si-u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverb sub·u·ni·ver·sal, adjective su·per·u·ni·ver·sal, adjective su·per·u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverb su·per·u·ni·ver·sal·ness, noun

Words nearby universal

univ., univalence, univalent, univalve, univariate, universal, universal affirmative, universal beam, universal chuck, universal city, universal class

British Dictionary definitions for quasi-universal

universal

/ (ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or typical of the whole of mankind or of nature

common to, involving, or proceeding from all in a particular group

applicable to or affecting many individuals, conditions, or cases; general

existing or prevailing everywhere

applicable or occurring throughout or relating to the universe; cosmic a universal constant

(esp of a language) capable of being used and understood by all

embracing or versed in many fields of knowledge, activity, interest, etc

machinery designed or adapted for a range of sizes, fittings, or uses

linguistics (of a constraint in a formal grammar) common to the grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible

logic (of a statement or proposition) affirming or denying something about every member of a class, as in all men are wicked Compare particular (def. 6)

noun

philosophy

a general term or concept or the type such a term signifies
a metaphysical entity taken to be the reference of a general term, as distinct from the class of individuals it describesSee also realism (def. 5)
a Platonic Idea or Aristotelian form

logic

a universal proposition, statement, or formula
a universal quantifier

a characteristic common to every member of a particular culture or to every human being

short for universal joint

Derived forms of universal

universalness, noun

usage for universal

The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book should have more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

universal

adjective

noun

Origin of universal

synonym study for universal

OTHER WORDS FROM universal

Words nearby universal

British Dictionary definitions for quasi-universal

adjective

noun

Derived forms of universal

usage for universal

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

universal

adjective

noun

Origin of universal

synonym study for universal

OTHER WORDS FROM universal

Words nearby universal

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for quasi-universal

adjective

noun

Derived forms of universal

usage for universal

British Dictionary definitions for quasi-universal