Main entry: universal, universal joint
Definition: coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions
Usage: in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps
Main entry: universal
Definition: a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings
Usage: some form of religion seems to be a human universal
Main entry: universal, universal proposition
Definition: (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
Main entry: universal, linguistic universal
Definition: (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
Main entry: oecumenical, cosmopolitan, ecumenical, world-wide, worldwide, universal, general
Definition: of worldwide scope or applicability
Usage: an issue of cosmopolitan import; the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time- Christopher Morley; universal experience
Main entry: universal
Definition: adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations
Usage: universal wrench, universal chuck; universal screwdriver
Main entry: universal
Definition: applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
Usage: the play opened to universal acclaim; rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys