I. ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl 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 mankind)
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-)lē adverb
• uni·ver·sal·ness -səl-nəs noun
II. noun
Date: 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