[uni.ver.sal] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L universalis, fr. universum universe] (14c) 1: including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception
2. a: present or occurring everywhere b: existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions "~ cultural patterns" 3 a: embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of mankind) "a ~ state" "~ practices" b: comprehensively broad and versatile "a ~ genius"
4. a: affirming or denying something of all members of a class or of all values of a variable b: denoting every member of a class "a ~ term"
5: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size) "a ~ gear cutter" -- uni.ver.sal.ly adv -- uni.ver.sal.ness n
[2]universal n (1553) 1: one that is universal: as a: a universal proposition in logic b: a predicable of traditional logic c: a general concept or term or something in reality to which it corresponds: essence
2. a: a behavior pattern or institution (as the family) existing in all cultures b: a culture trait characteristic of all normal adult members of a particular society