Definition of "universal" adjective comparative more universal , superlative most universal
Common to all society ; worldwide . quotations examples
Quotations [John ] Dryden 's univerſal genius , his firmly eſtablished reputation , and the glory his memory muſt always reflect upon the nation that gave him birth , make us ardently wiſh for a more accurate life of him than any which has hitherto appeared : […]
a. 1701 (date written), John Dryden, “The Life of John Dryden, Esq.”, in The Miscellaneous Works of John Dryden, […], volume I, London: […] J[acob] and R[ichard] Tonson, […], published 1760, page xiii
(philosophy) A characteristic or property that particular things have in common . quotations examples
Quotations When we examine common words , we find that , broadly speaking , proper names stand for particulars , while other substantives , adjectives , prepositions , and verbs stand for universals .
1912, Bertrand Russel, The Problems of Philosophy, Chapter 9