u•ni•ver•salˌyu nəˈvɜr səl(adj.)

1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of all or the whole.

2. applicable everywhere or in all cases:

   a universal cure.

3. affecting, concerning, or involving all:

   universal military service.

4. used or understood by all:

   a universal language.

   Category: Language/Linguistics

5. present or existing everywhere.

6. versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.

7. of or pertaining to the universe, all nature, or all existing things.

8. Logic. (of a proposition) asserted of every member of a class.

   Category: Philosphy

9. noting any of various machines, tools, or devices widely adaptable in position, range of use, etc.

   Category: Machinery

10. (n.)a cultural pattern or trait found in every known society or common to all members of a particular culture.

    Category: Sociology

11. Logic. a universal proposition.

    Category: Philosphy

12. Philos. a general term or concept or the generic nature that such a term signifies; a Platonic idea or Aristotelian form. an entity that remains unchanged in character in a series of changes or changing relations.

    Category: Philosphy

13. a trait or property of language that can exist in all languages.

    Category: Language/Linguistics

14. Category: Machinery

    Ref: universal joint.

Origin of universal:

1325–75; ME < MF < L ūniversālis. See universe

u`ni•ver′sal•ness(n.)