universal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

   universal wrench, universal chuck

2. 2
   adj

   applicable to or common to all members of a group or set

   the play opened to universal acclaim

3. 3
   noun

   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

4. 4
   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

5. 5
   adj

   Common to all members of a group or class.

   In Logic, the letter A is used as a symbol for the universal affirmative proposition in the general form "all x is y."

6. 6
   adj

   Common to all society; worldwide.

   She achieved universal fame.

7. 7
   adj

   Useful for many purposes; all-purpose.

   universal wrench

8. 8
   noun

   A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.

   When we examine common words, we find that, broadly speaking, proper names stand for particulars, while other substantives, adjectives, prepositions, and verbs stand for universals.

Etymology

From Middle English universal, from Old French universal (modern French universel), from Latin ūniversālis, equivalent to universe + -al.