1. universal(n = noun.communication) linguistic universal - (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages;
is a kind of linguistic rule, rule
2. universal(n = noun.communication) universal proposition - (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class;
is a kind of proposition
Antonym: particular
3. universal(n = noun.cognition) - 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"
is a kind of convention, formula, normal, pattern, rule
4. universal(n = noun.artifact) universal joint - coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions; "in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps"
is a kind of coupler, coupling
is a part of drive line, drive line system
1. universal(s = adj.all) cosmopolitan, ecumenical, general, oecumenical, world-wide, worldwide - of worldwide scope or applicability; "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"; "universal experience"
Derived forms noun universality1, verb universalize1, noun universe1
2. universal(s = adj.all) - 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"
3. universal(s = adj.all) - adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations; "universal wrench"; "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"
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. Milton. [1913 Webster]
" Universal and its derivatives are used in common discourse for general and its derivatives. See
"The universal cause
Acts not by partial, but by general laws." [1913 Webster]
"This universal frame began." [1913 Webster]
2. Constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world. Shak. [1913 Webster]
"At which the universal host up dent
A shout that tore Hell's concave." [1913 Webster]
3. Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine. [1913 Webster]
4. 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
1. The whole; the general system of the universe; the universe. [1913 Webster]
"Plato calleth God the cause and original, the nature and reason, of the universal." [1913 Webster]
2. A general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it. [1913 Webster]
universal, adj. & n.
--adj.
1 of, belonging to, or done etc. by all persons or things in the world or in the class concerned; applicable to all cases (the feeling was universal; met with universal approval).
2 Logic (of a proposition) in which something is asserted of all of a class (opp. PARTICULAR).
--n.
1 Logic a universal proposition.
2 Philos. a a term or concept of general application. b a nature or essence signified by a general term.
Idiom:
universal agent an agent empowered to do all that can be delegated. universal compass a compass with legs that may be extended for large circles. universal coupling (or joint) a coupling or joint which can transmit rotary power by a shaft at any selected angle. universal language an artificial language intended for use by all nations. universal proposition Logic a proposition in which the predicate is affirmed or denied of all members of a class (opp. particular proposition). universal suffrage a suffrage extending to all adults with minor exceptions. universal time = GREENWICH MEAN TIME.
Derivative:
universality n. universalize v.tr. (also -ise). universalization n. universally adv.
Etymology:
ME f. OF universal or L universalis (as UNIVERSE)
N generality, generalization, universality, catholicity, catholicism, miscellany, miscellaneousness, dragnet, common run, worldwideness, everyone, everybody, all hands, all the world and his wife, anybody, N or M, all sorts, prevalence, run, general, generic, collective, broad, comprehensive, sweeping, encyclopedical, widespread, universal, catholic, catholical, common, worldwide, ecumenical, oecumenical, transcendental, prevalent, prevailing, rife, epidemic, besetting, all over, covered with, Pan-American, Anglican, Pan-Hellenic, Pan-Germanic, slavic, panharmonic, every, all, unspecified, impersonal, customary, whatever, whatsoever, to a man, one and all, generally, always, for better for worse, in general, generally speaking, speaking generally, for the most part, in the long run.
coordinated universal time, linguistic universal, universal agent, universal donor, universal gas constant, universal grammar, universal gravitational constant, universal joint, universal product code, universal proposition, universal quantifier, universal resource locator, universal set, universal solvent, universal suffrage, universal time, universal veil