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