n.
Pronunciation: ˌ yü-n ə - ' v ə r-s ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin universalis, from universum universe
Date: 14th century
1 : including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception especially : available equitably to all members of a society < universal health coverage>
2 a : present or occurring everywhere b : existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions < universal cultural patterns>
3 a : embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of humankind) <a universal state> < universal practices> b : comprehensively broad and versatile <a universal 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 universal term>
5 : adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size) <a universal gear cutter> <a universal remote control>
– uni · ver · sal · ly \ -s( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– uni · ver · sal · ness \ -s ə l-n ə s \ noun