universal

Dictionary definition · universal

(linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
(logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
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"
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"

of worldwide scope or applicability"an issue of cosmopolitan import"
applicable to or common to all members of a group or set"the play opened to universal acclaim"
adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations"universal wrench"

Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).