universal
pronunciation
How to pronounce universal in British English:
UK [ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsl]
How to pronounce universal in American English:
US [ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsl]
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- Noun:
- coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions
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- Adjective:
- of worldwide scope or applicability
Word Origin
- universal (adj.)
- late 14c., "pertaining to the whole of something specified; occurring everywhere," from Old French universel "general, universal" (12c.), from Latin universalis "of or belonging to all," from universus "all together, whole, entire" (see universe). In mechanics, a universal joint (1670s) is one which allows free movement in any direction. Universal product code is recorded from 1974.
Antonym
Example
- 1. Cooking is a human universal .
- 2. Cheating is another universal principle .
- 3. Whence such strangely universal shortsightedness ?
- 4. Republican gains were not universal .
- 5. No universal answer has emerged .