UNIVERSAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does universal mean? 

• UNIVERSAL (noun)
  The noun UNIVERSAL has 4 senses:

1. (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages

2. (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class

3. a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

4. coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions

  Familiarity information: UNIVERSAL used as a noun is uncommon.

• UNIVERSAL (adjective)
  The adjective UNIVERSAL has 3 senses:

1. of worldwide scope or applicability

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

3. adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

  Familiarity information: UNIVERSAL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNIVERSAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

linguistic universal; universal

Hypernyms ("universal" is a kind of...):

linguistic rule; rule ((linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice)

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

universal; universal proposition

Hypernyms ("universal" is a kind of...):

proposition ((logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false)

Domain category:

logic (the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference)

Antonym:

particular ((logic) a proposition that asserts something about some (but not all) members of a class)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

some form of religion seems to be a human universal

Hypernyms ("universal" is a kind of...):

convention; formula; normal; pattern; rule (something regarded as a normative example)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

universal; universal joint

Context example:

in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps

Hypernyms ("universal" is a kind of...):

coupler; coupling (a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objects)

Holonyms ("universal" is a part of...):

drive line; drive line system (mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle)

• UNIVERSAL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of worldwide scope or applicability

Synonyms:

cosmopolitan; ecumenical; general; oecumenical; universal; world-wide; worldwide

Context example:

universal experience

Similar:

comprehensive (including all or everything)

Derivation:

universality (the quality of being universal; existing everywhere)

universalize (make universal)

universe (everything that exists anywhere)

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Context example:

rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys

Similar:

general (applying to all or most members of a category or group)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

Context example:

universal screwdriver

Similar:

adaptable (capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use)

 Context examples 

The viral components of the microbiome (the virome) have received less attention, largely because viruses are so diverse that there are no universal viral target regions.

(Algal Virus Infects, Affects Humans, NIH)

At the end of that time there was a universal rising against him.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

You will come to the same region of happiness: be received by the same mighty, universal Parent, no doubt, dear Jane.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

It was her own universal good-will and contented temper which worked such wonders.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

And are those same neural processes universal, or do they vary across cultures?

(Understanding how the brain makes sense of sound, National Science Foundation)

It is a match that must give universal satisfaction.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

The findings could help scientists design more effective influenza vaccines and lead to the development of novel universal influenza vaccines.

(New study reveals a novel indicator of influenza immunity, National Institutes of Health)

EP-2101 also includes CAP1-6D, a heteroclitic CEA analog, and PADRE, a proprietary universal T-cell epitope that serves to enhance the immunogenicity of the epitopes.

(EP-2101, NCI Thesaurus)

I shall simply require to be deposited in that place of universal resort, where

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

An ancient form of acupuncture based on the principle that there are five universal elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) that affect a person's emotions, personality, health, and response to treatment.

(Five element acupuncture, NCI Dictionary)