u·ni·ver·sal
(yo͞o′nə-vûr′səl)adj.1. Of, relating to, or affecting the entire universe: the universal laws of physics.
2. Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration; applicable in all cases:
universal vaccination; universal suffrage. See Synonyms at
general.
3. Done, produced, or shared by all members of the class or group under consideration: a discovery that met with universal acclaim.
4. Adapted or adjustable to many sizes, uses, or devices: a universal remote control.
5. Logic Encompassing all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.
n.1. Logic a. A universal proposition.
b. A general or abstract concept or term considered absolute or axiomatic.
2. A general or widely held principle, concept, or notion.
3. A trait or pattern of behavior characteristic of all the members of a particular culture or of all humans.
u′ni·ver′sal·ly adv.
u′ni·ver′sal·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
universal
(ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl) adj1. of, relating to, or typical of the whole of mankind or of nature
2. common to, involving, or proceeding from all in a particular group
3. applicable to or affecting many individuals, conditions, or cases; general
4. existing or prevailing everywhere
5. applicable or occurring throughout or relating to the universe; cosmic: a universal constant.
6. (Linguistics) (esp of a language) capable of being used and understood by all
7. embracing or versed in many fields of knowledge, activity, interest, etc
8. (Mechanical Engineering) machinery designed or adapted for a range of sizes, fittings, or uses
9. (Linguistics) linguistics (of a constraint in a formal grammar) common to the grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible
10. (Logic)
logic (of a statement or proposition) affirming or denying something about every member of a class, as in
all men are wicked. Compare
particular6 n11. (Philosophy)
philosophy a. a general term or concept or the type such a term signifies
b. a metaphysical entity taken to be the reference of a general term, as distinct from the class of individuals it describes. See also
realism5 c. a Platonic Idea or Aristotelian form
12. (Logic)
logic a. a universal proposition, statement, or formula
b. a universal quantifier
13. a characteristic common to every member of a particular culture or to every human being
ˌuniˈversalness n
Usage: 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
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
u•ni•ver•sal
(ˌyu nəˈvɜr səl)
adj. 1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole.
2. applicable everywhere or in all cases: a universal cure.
3. affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.
4. used or understood by all: a universal language.
5. present or existing everywhere.
6. versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.
7. of or pertaining to the universe, all nature, or all existing things.
8. Logic. (of a proposition) asserted of every member of a class.
9. noting any of various machines, tools, or devices widely adaptable in position, range of use, etc.
n. 10. a cultural pattern or trait found in every known society or common to all members of a particular culture.
11. Logic. a universal proposition.
12. Philos. a. a general term or concept or the generic nature that such a term signifies; a Platonic idea or Aristotelian form.
b. an entity that remains unchanged in character in a series of changes or changing relations.
13. a trait or property of language that can exist in all languages.
[1325–75; Middle English < Middle French < Latin
ūniversālis. See
universe]
u`ni•ver′sal•ly, adv.
u`ni•ver′sal•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.