universal

Main Entry:: ¹uni·ver·sal
Pronunciation:: \ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl\
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-)lē\ adverb

— uni·ver·sal·ness

\-səl-nəs\ noun

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