universal

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
noun (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
noun a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings

From Middle English universal, from Old French universal (modern French universel), from Latin ūniversālis, equivalent to universe + -al.

THE UNIVERSAL AIM 212 VII. — The Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius
The Lhari asked in Universal. — The Colors of Space, Marion Zimmer Bradley
Universal bevel protractor 20 14. — Practical Mechanics for Boys, James Slough Zerbe

linguistic universal

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