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universal - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'universal' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Universal [ a.]
- Of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting, the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all-pervading; as, universal ruin; universal good; universal benevolence or benefice.
- Constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world.
- Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine.
- Forming the whole of a genus; relatively unlimited in extension; affirmed or denied of the whole of a subject; as, a universal proposition; -- opposed to particular; e. g. (universal affirmative) All men are animals; (universal negative) No men are omniscient.
2 . Universal [ n.]
- The whole; the general system of the universe; the universe.
- A general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it.
- A universal proposition. See Universal, a., 4.

Meaning of 'universal' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . universal [ n]
Meaning (1):
- coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions
Example in sentence:
  • in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps
Meaning (2):
- a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings
Example in sentence:
  • some form of religion seems to be a human universal
3 . universal [ s]
Meaning (3):
- of worldwide scope or applicability
Example in sentence:
  • an issue of cosmopolitan import;
  • the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time;
  • universal experience
Meaning (4):
- applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
Example in sentence:
  • rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys;
  • the play opened to universal acclaim
Meaning (5):
- adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations
Example in sentence:
  • universal chuck;
  • universal screwdriver;
  • universal wrench

Nearby Words:

uni- uniat uniate uniaxal uniaxial uniaxially unibranchiate unicameral unicapsular unicarinated

See 'universal' also in:

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