u·ni·ver·sal /ˌyunəˈvɜrsəl/
1. (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
synset: universal, linguistic_universal
2. (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
synset: universal, universal_proposition
antonym: particular, particular_proposition
3. a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings; "some form of religion seems to be a human universal"
synset: universal
4. coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions; "in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps"
synset: universal_joint, universal
1. of worldwide scope or applicability; "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley; "universal experience"
synset: cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical, general, universal, worldwide, world-wide
2. applicable to or common to all members of a group or set; "the play opened to universal acclaim"; "rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys"
synset: universal
3. adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations; "universal wrench"; "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"
synset: universal
Princeton University "About WordNet." WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.
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