Universal

a. (adv.) and sb. Forms: α. 4–5 vni-, 5 unyuersel, 4 universiel (-uersele). β. 4–5 uny-, 5–6 vnyuersal, 5 -all, 4–7 vniuersal (5 -ale, -versale), 6–7 -all, vniversal(l, 5–6 universalle, 6 -uersalle, 6–7 uniuersal(l; 4, 6– universal. See also VARSAL a. and VERSAL a. [a. OF. universel, universal (12–13th c.; F. universel, = It. universale, Sp. and Pg. universal), or ad. L. ūniversāl-is (post-Aug.), f. ūniversus: see UNIVERSE and -AL 1. The sb. occurs in OF. universal (1372), in F. (17th c.) in pl. universaux universals (see B. 1), F. universel (16th c.) the universe, It. universale.

  Early examples in verse exhibit stressing on the second or fourth syllable.]

  A.  adj. 1. Extending over, comprehending, or including the whole of something specified or implied; prevalent over all.

  Contexts in which the reference is to the whole of a particular community are numerous, esp. in groups b and c.

  Freq. the adj. develops a more or less specialized sense, as in universal grammar, root, succession; see also 14.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. iv. (1868), 165. Resoun surmounteth ymaginacioun and comprehendeþ by an vniuersel lokynge þe commune spece þat is in þe singuler peces. Ibid. (c. 1386), Pars. T., ¶ 292. His contricioun … shal been vniuersal [Camb. MS. vnyuersel] and total, this is to seyn, a man shal be verray repentaunt for alle hise synnes.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 77. Ther felle wondres many on Of terremote universiel.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R. (W. de W. 1495), II. xii. 39. By an vnyuersall excellence the hygher angellis ben areryd aboue a subieccion.

1555.  Eden, Decades (Arb.), 45. Of the vniuersall carde and newe worlde. Ibid., 211. After my vniuersall description of the historie of the Indies.

1557.  Recorde, Whetst., Rr iij b. These rootes therefore bee called vniuersalle rootes, because thei are the rootes … of the whole compounde nomber.

1597.  Blundevil, Exerc., III. I. xv. (ed. 2), 150. The Moone … cannot shadow all the Earth, and therefore the Eclipse of the Sunne cannot be vniuersall.

1630.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Jack a Lent, Wks. 118/1. The knauery of the Baker is vniuersal, in Asia, Europa, Afrike, and America.

1647.  Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 32. The loudest and most universal rejoycing over the whole Kingdom.

1697.  Dryden, Æneis, VIII. 194. What further force can stay The victor troops from universal sway?

1736.  Butler, Anal., II. vi. As neither the iewish nor christian Revelation have been universal.

1751.  Harris, Hermes, Wks. (1841), 120. How few, then, must be those who know grammar universal; that grammar which … only respects those principles that are essential to them all?

1765–8.  Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., III. viii. § 1. This kind of succession is called universal; and may be defined, the right of an heir or executor to enter upon the estate which belonged to a person deceased at the time of his death.

1784.  Cowper, Task, IV. 204. The slope of faces … Relax’d into an universal grin.

1822.  Byron, Vis. Judgem., xxvii. The gate flew Asunder, and the flashing of its hinges Flung over space an universal hue Of many-colour’d flame.

1860.  Tyndall, Glac., II. i. 226. This is now the universal belief.

1891.  Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, xxiv. The day was kept as a universal holiday.

  b.  Affecting or involving the whole of something specified or implied; spec. in Path. (see quot. 1876).

c. 1412.  Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 2295. Gretter cheerte Ho hadde of the profet vniuersel Than of hym self.

a. 1425.  trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 64. Without dout it schal cure perfitely, vniuersale purgacions goyng afore.

a. 1475.  Ashby, Active Policy, 772. The vniuersal And the comyn wele of this Region.

1542.  Boorde, Dyetary, xxxvi. (1870), 297. They the whiche haue the Palsye, vnyuersall or pertyculer, must beware of anger.

1560.  Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 108. The Emperour doth establyshe a vniuersall peace throughout Germany.

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., V. ii. 100. If all the world could haue seen’t, the Woe had beene vniuersall.

1656.  Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., II. vi. (1674), 140. In Germany, and in universal concerns, there appears but one only Commonwealth…, but many in particulars.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 827. At length [Tisiphone] strikes an Universal Blow; To Death at once whole Herds of Cattle go.

1734.  Pope, Ess. Man, IV. 114. God sends not ill; if rightly understood, Or partial Ill is universal Good.

1754.  Sherlock, Disc. (1759), I. 11. Are you alone exempt from this common, this universal Blindness?

1826.  Disraeli, V. Grey, VI. i. The battle was general, the overthrow universal.

1876.  Duhring, Dis. Skin, 52. When an eruption involves the whole surface, it is said to be universal.

1878.  Browning, La Saisiaz, 44. What a preferable state were universal happiness?

  c.  Proceeding from the whole body or number; committed, given, made, etc., by all without exception of the persons to whom there is reference or allusion.

1586.  Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 41. The vniuersall sentence of the whole boord.

1611.  Coryat, Crudities, 627. The vniuersall suffrage of all the learned.

1663.  Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xxxviii. His title and claim unto our universal obedience.

1687.  A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., II. 30. Baron … discharged that Office [of Consul] with honour and universal Approbation.

1701.  Swift, Contests Nobles & Comm., v. For a house of commons to lose the universal favour of the numbers they represent.

a. 1800.  Cowper, Odyss. (ed. 2), XXIV. 598. Forefathers, whose exploits Have shared so long, such universal praise.

1844.  H. H. Wilson, Brit. India, III. 432. An almost universal insurrection of the Bhils.

1871.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., xvii. IV. 91. The English visitors were the objects of universal attention, of universal admiration.

1871.  Jowett, Plato, II. 185. The universal voice of mankind is saying that [etc.].

  † d.  Applied to the whole body. Obs.^–1

1725.  Fam. Dict., s.v. Fomentation, A Bath is universal, and therefore never made use of to Horses, because of their large Size.

  2.  Qualifying (in senses 1 and 1 a) agent-nouns, personal designations, or titles; freq. in universal bishop, esp. (now Hist.) as a title assumed by or given to some of the Popes.

c. 1380.  Antecrist, in Todd, Three Treat. Wyclif, 118. Oo bischop þat wole be clepid vnyuersal bischop.

1483.  Caxton, Cato, a ij b. God is the unyuersel commaunder of alle our production.

1552.  Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 38. The universal Lord of all this world.

1582.  T. W[ilcox], B. de Loque’s Disc. Ch., 73. Saint Peter was not an vniuersall Apostle, nor a soueraigne and high bishoppe ouer all the Churche.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., III. xiii. 71. To heare frome me you had … put your selfe vnder his shrowd, the vniuersal Landlord [sc. Julius Cæsar].

1632.  Lithgow, Trav., X. 474. Boniface the third obtained of Phocas … to be called vniuersall Bishop.

1667.  Milton, P. L., III. 317. Here shalt [thou] Reigne Both God and Man,… Anointed universal King.

1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Oecumenical, Supposing the Title Oecumenic to imply Universal Bishop, or Bishop of all the World.

1784.  Cowper, Task, VI. 449. The universal Father’s love.

1818.  Shelley, Homer’s Hymn to Earth, 1. O universal Mother, who dost keep From everlasting thy foundations deep!

1876.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., xxiv. V. 391. He became universal landlord, but he did not cease to be universal ruler.

  b.  In legal use (spec. in Scots Law): Of or in respect of the whole estate or property.

1659.  in W. M. Morison, Dict. Decis. (1807), 16167. His executor and universal legatar.

1702.  London Gazette, No. 3806. 6. His Majesty has appointed the Prince of Frise to be his Universal Heir.

1765–8.  Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., III. ix. § 6. Where a settlement is made by the deceased of the whole or the universitas of his moveable estate, the person gratified is called universal legatee.

1790.  in Nairne Peerage Evidence (1874), 99. The said Marg^t Mercer to be my sole executor and universal intromitter.

  c.  Scots Law. Succeeding to an estate by a universal, as distinct from a singular, title.

1681.  Stair, Inst., xxvi. 92. Heirs in Law are called Universal Successors,… [because] they do wholly represent the defunct.

1838.  Bell, Dict. Law Scot., 951. In this sense the two terms of singular successor and universal successor are opposed to each other.

  3.  Of or pertaining to the universe in general or all things in it; existing or occurring everywhere or in all things; occas., of or belonging to all nature. Chiefly poet. or rhet.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 91. Yit withouten eny forme Was that matiere universal, Which hihte ylem.

1637.  Milton, Lycidas, 60. Her inchanting son Whom Universal nature did lament.

1643.  Swan, Spec. Mundi (ed. 2), 213. These things … are but in particular seas,… where a generall and universall cause may be much hindered.

1731.  Bolingbroke, Lett. to Swift, 2 Aug. The first epistle, which considers man … relatively to the whole system of universal being.

1738.  Gray, Propertius, III. v. 18. That first, eternal, universal Cause.

1819.  Shelley, Peter Bell 3rd, V. viii. On the universal sky.

1823.  S. Rogers, Italy, St. Mark’s Place, 165. Subtle, invisible, And universal as the air.

1848.  R. I. Wilberforce, Doctr. Incarnation, xi. (1852), 267. The Universal Mind which pervades all things.

  b.  poet. as an epithet of Pan.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IV. 266. While Universal Pan Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance Led on th’ Eternal Spring.

1809.  Wordsw., ‘O’er the wide earth,’ 3. A Godhead, like the universal Pan.

1820.  Shelley, Witch Atlas, ix. And universal Pan, ’tis said, was there.

  c.  Of language, etc.: Adopted, (intended to be) used, understood, etc., everywhere or by all nations; freq. = Latin.

1652.  Urquhart, Jewel, 24. Bringing all these words within the systeme of a Language, which … may … be intituled The Universal Tongue. Ibid. (1653), Logopandect., 13. So can there be no Universal Language but this I am about to divulge unto the world. Ibid. The Universal Alphabet therefore must be first conceived.

1668.  Wilkins, Real Char., 13. A Real universal Character.

1756.  Mrs. Calderwood, in Coltness Collect., 131. The universall language so much wished for.

1793.  Martyn, Lang. Bot., Pref. p. xiii. The advantage which is derived from speaking and writing one universal language.

1818.  Hazlitt, Eng. Poets, i. 2. Poetry is the universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself.

1836.  (title) Universal Character; or, Manner of Writing intelligible to the Inhabitants of every Country.

1885, 1890.  [see VOLAPÜK].

  d.  Mil. Or stores: (see quot.).

1876.  Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., 446/2. Universal … is applied to certain stores of a general pattern, such as the saddlery and harness now in use in the army.

  † 4.  Not going into details or particulars; general. Obs.^–1

c. 1430.  Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 5 (MS. Addit.). Chap. j of broken bonys an vniuersel word.

  † 5.  a. Or a council: General, œcumenical (see COUNCIL 2), Obs. rare.

1432–50.  trans. Higden (Rolls), V. 241. A cownsayle universalle of vj^c and xxx^ti bischoppes hade at Calcedonia.

  † b.  Made up of, inclusive of, all. Obs.^–1

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. vi. 36. Many fair fountaines, which after a long … course do come altogether into an vniuersall flood [Fr. vn vniversel fleuve].

  † 6.  Of persons: Preserving the same attitude to all. Obs.^–1

c. 1450.  in Aungier, Syon (1840), 269. The presidente … owethe to be unyuersal to al and not parcial.

  7.  Of the church: Of, belonging to, or including all persons; consisting of the whole body of Christians; CATHOLIC a. 5.

1483.  Caxton, Cato, b ij. Our moder chyrche unyuersall.

1509.  Paternoster, Ave & Creed (W. de W.), a iij. I trowe in y^e holy goost, holy chirche Unyversall [etc.].

1552.  Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 3. The haly spreit quhilk is ane daily techeour and governour of the hail universal kirk.

1620.  T. Granger, Div. Logike, 227. Euen the vniuersall Church may erre.

1645.  Ussher, Body Div. (1647), 187. The Catholick Church, that is, God’s whole or universall Assembly.

1663–70.  South, Serm. (1715), IV. 281. The Universal Christian Church.

1807.  J. Crook (title), The Universal Church; an Essay on Nature, as the Universal Basis of Truth, Perfection, and Salvation.

1893.  Liddon, etc., Life Pusey, I. 417. The Ancient Fathers … bring the thought of particular Churches into community with the thought of the Universal Church when outwardly united.

  8.  Constituting or forming, existing or regarded as, a complete whole; entire, whole. a. Of the world, earth, etc.

  Common in 16th c.; now somewhat rare. See VARSAL a. 1.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, V. i. 160. That noble empyre whiche domyneth vpon the vnyuersal world.

1480.  Caxton, Myrr., Prol. 4 b. The situacion … of the firmament, and how the vnyuersal erthe hangeth in the myddle of the same.

1513.  Douglas, Æneid, VI. xii. 10. By his power mydlit is our all This meikle body clepit vniuersall.

1527.  R. Thorne, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 253. This Card, though little, conteineth the vniuersall whole world.

1649.  Quarles, Virgin Widow, II. i. ’Twas for nothing in the universal world but for killing a rich Patient.

1667.  Milton, P. L., V. 154. Thine this universal Frame, Thus wondrous fair. [Hence in Blackmore, Creation, V. 657; Cowper, Retirement, 90.] Ibid., VII. 257. With joy and shout The hollow Universal Orb they fill’d.

1823.  W. Faux, Mem. Days, 212. I would live no where else in all the universal world.

1859.  Darwin, in Life & Lett. (1887), II. 169. Now I care not what the universal world says.

  b.  In general use.

1502.  Atkynson, trans. De Imitatione, IV. xviii. (1893), 282. All the vniuersall people prayse the.

1559.  W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 48. At midde day through the vniuersal yere.

1585.  T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., III. iii. 73 b. Their order vniuersall is distributed in tenths.

1603.  Daniel, Def. Ryme, G 3 b. Euery Rymer in this vniuersall Iland.

1615.  G. Sandys, Trav., 113. Nether cement nor wood was imploied thorowout the vniuersall fabricke.

1667.  Milton, P. L., I. 541. The universal Host upsent A shout that tore Hells Concave.

1830–60.  in Thornton, Amer. Gloss. (1912), s.v., The Universal Yankee nation.

1871.  Blackie, Four Phases, i. 27. The political importance … had been blazoned forth before universal Greece.

  9.  Of persons: Instructed or learned in all or many subjects; having an extensive knowledge or experience; widely accomplished; interested in or devoted to a great variety of subjects; having a wide range of interests or activities. Also of the mind or disposition.

1520.  Caxton’s Chron. Eng., IV. 32 b/2. He [Adrian] was an vnyuersall man almost in all scyences.

1540.  J. Heywood, Four P. P., B ij. Why be ye so vniuersall, That ye can do what so euer ye shall.

1631.  Weever, Anc. Funeral Mon., 383. One William West, a Canon of Saint Pauls,… a good companion, a man vniuersall, affable, and curteous.

1679.  Dryden, Pref. to Troylus & Cress., ad fin. Shakespeare had an universal mind.

a. 1700.  Evelyn, Diary, 5 March 1673. This gentleman is a very excellent and universal scholar. Ibid., 19 July 1691. I never knew a man of a more universal and generous spirit.

a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, II. x. (1897), I. 427. He was … very universal in all other learning.

1749.  Smollett, Gil Blas, XI. v. He sets up for an universal man, because he has a small tincture of every science.

1829.  Lytton, Devereux, II. vi. Don Saltero is a universal genius.

1833.  Coleridge, Table-t., 17 Feb. Shakspeare is universal, and in fact has no manner.

1841.  D’Israeli, Amen. Lit., III. 178. With a universal mind Rawleigh was eager after universal knowledge.

  b.  Not limited or restricted to any particular branch or class of work, etc. † Attorney universal, an Attorney-General. Obs. Universal maid, a maid of all work, a general servant.

1637.  J. Bastwick (title), The Answer … to the Information of Sir John Bancks, Knight, Atturney universall.

1770.  R. Weston (title), The Universal Botanist and Nurseryman, etc.

1840.  Thackeray, Shabby-genteel Story, iii. She had been in the kitchen helping Becky, the universal maid.

  c.  Embracing or covering all (or a great variety of) subjects, branches of knowledge, etc.

1638.  R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 39. His knowledge is so universal, and comprehends such an infinite number of things that one cannot touch upon any point where he is not ready for you.

1688–9.  (title) The Universal Intelligence.

1690.  Locke, Hum. Und., IV. iii. § 28. For wherever we want that, we are utterly uncapable of universal and certain Knowledge.

1786.  (title) The Fashionable Magazine, … being a Compleat Universal Repository of Taste, Elegance, and Novelty for both Sexes.

1821.  A. Jamieson (title), Universal Science, or the Cabinet of Nature and Art.

1841.  [see sense 9].

1861–5.  (title) Beeton’s Dictionary of Universal Information.

1882–4.  (title) Universal Instructor; or, Self-Culture for All.

  † 10.  With pl. sbs. All, every one, regarded collectively as a body or whole. Obs. rare.

1530–1.  Act 22 Hen. VIII., c. 14. His lyberall and free habytations resortes and passages to and fro the vniuersall places of this realme.

1563.  Homilies, II. The Sacrament, II. 458 b. Wherfore, let vs all vniuersall and singuler, beholde our owne maners and lyues, to amend them.

  11.  Logic. Applicable to, extending or relating to, involving, the whole of a class or genus, or all the individuals or species forming it; spec. of a proposition: Predicable of each of the things denoted by the subject. Opposed to particular.

1551.  T. Wilson, Logike, G viii. The first proposition must be vniuersall euer, or els it is not good.

1606.  Bryskett, Civ. Life, 124. That sense is busied about things particular, and … onely things vniuersall are knowne.

1650.  Hobbes, Hum. Nat., v. 50. The appellations that be universal, and common to many things, are not always given to all the particulars.

1697.  trans. Burgersdicius’ Logic, I. xvii. 66. Cause efficient is divided into universal and particular. Universal is that which concurrs with other causes.

1725.  Watts, Logic (1726), 36. This sort of universal Ideas, which may either be considered as a Genus, or a Species, is call’d Subaltern. Ibid., 147. An universal Proposition is when the Subject is taken according to the whole of its Extension.

1842.  Abp. Thomson, Laws Th., 64. As to Quantity, judgments are either Universal, Particular, or Singular.

1885.  J. Martineau, Types Eth. Th., I. I. ii. § 8. 201. What is there ‘universal’ in this geometrical equation?

  b.  Applicable to, operative or valid in, all cases. Of a law or rule (cf. GENERAL a. 5 b).

1583.  Melbancke, Philotimus, R j b. Yet the vniuersallest Axiomes haue their cautions.

1651.  Hobbes, Leviathan, II. xxvi. 148. Naturall Lawes being Eternall, and Universall, are all Divine.

1667.  Sprat, Hist. R. Soc., 247. A universal Standard, or measure of Magnitudes, by the help of a Pendulum.

1687.  P. Ayres, Lyric Poems (1906), 309. This Universal Remedy, To hope and live.

1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. General, A General Rule, q. d. an universal Rule.

1747.  Wesley, Prim. Physick (1762), p. xxvii. It comes the nearest an Universal Medecine.

1839.  Dickens, Nickleby, ix. As there is no reason to suppose that she was a solitary exception to a universal rule.

1884.  trans. Lotze’s Metaph., 117. The validity of Universal laws.

1890.  ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 317. Compelled to employ that only universal solvent, a cash payment.

  † 12.  Of motion or action: Constant, continual, perpetual. Obs. rare.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., IV. iii. 305. Why, vniuersall plodding poysons vp The nimble spirits in the arteries.

1604.  E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, III. vi. 137. [The comet] mooved daily with an vniversal motion, from East to Weast.

  13.  Of implements, machines or their parts, etc.: Adjustable to all conditions or requirements; not restricted to one fixed type of operation, but capable of variety of work; adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, etc.

  Freq. universal joint, a joint or coupling that permits of free movement in any direction of the parts joined, spec. one which does this in such a way that one of the connected parts conveys rotary action to the other.

  A number of other instances in purely technical use are recorded in Knight’s Dict. Mech. (1875), and Suppl. (1884), and recent Dicts. (1891–).

1676.  Hooke, Helioscopes, 14. The Universal Joynt for all these manner of operations.

1688.  R. Holme, Armoury, III. 373. Pendant Dials…, commonly called Equinoctial or Universal Dials, are most used by Sea-Men and Travellers.

1700.  Moxon, Math. Instr., s.v., [The] Universal Equinoctial Dial … finds the Latitude and Hour of the day and most propositions on the Globe.

1815.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, I. 111. The stop and fence of the universal plough.

1825.  J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 324. On the end, n, of the spindle P,… is screwed occasionally an universal chuck for holding any kind of work which is to be turned.

1829.  Nat. Philos., Mechanics, II. xiii. 62 (L. U. K.). Hooke’s universal joint is a very simple and effectual method of transferring rotation from one axis to another.

1881.  Raymond, Mining Gloss., Universal train, a roll train having adjustable horizontal and vertical rolls, so as to produce sections of various sizes.

1888.  Jacobi, Printers’ Vocab., Universal machine, a jobbing platen machine—for steam or treadle.

  14.  Special collocations: universal arithmetic, † mathematics, algebra; universal suffrage, a suffrage extending to the whole of a community, esp. one in virtue of which all male persons over twenty-one years of age, except lunatics, aliens and criminals, have the right to vote for representatives to a legislative (usually parliamentary) assembly; hence universal suffragist; universal umbel (see quot.).

1720.  Raphson, etc. (title), *Universal Arithmetick: or, a Treatise of Arithmetical Composition and Resolution, Translated from the Latin [of Newton’s Arithmetica Universalis (1707)].

1826.  Encycl. Metrop. (1845), I. 524/2. The title Universal Arithmetic very inadequately expresses the nature, objects, and extent of this department of Analysis.

1673.  J. Kersey, Algebra, b 3. The learned Works of which [they] … proclaim their rare Talents in *Universal Mathematicks.

1752.  (title) The Elements of Universal Mathematics, or Algebra; to which is added, a Specimen of a Commentary on Sir Isaac Newton’s Universal Arithmetic.

1706.  De Foe, Jure Div., V. 3. The Land divided, Right to rule divides, And *universal Suffrage then provides.

1798.  [see SUFFRAGE 10 b].

1817.  Cobbett, Pol. Reg., XXXII. 226. That, as to Universal Suffrage, you cannot help calling it universal impracticability.

1857.  D. P[useley], Rise Australia, etc., 69. While the poorer classes have not the power to comprehend and appreciate, nor the moral courage to protect political privileges, even absolutism with its attendant evils would, in our opinion, be preferable to universal suffrage.

1822.  Blackw. Mag., XII. 156. If they come back *Universal Suffragists.

1834.  Mar. Edgeworth, Helen, xxxv. It is curious that … Louisa Castlefort, should be obliged … to … turn ultra liberale, or an universal suffragist.

1760.  J. Lee, Introd. Bot., I. viii. (1765), 17. The Umbel that bears the Umbellula on its Footstalks, is called an *universal Umbel.

  15.  Quasi-adv. a. Universally; in all places.

  b.  With universal power. rare.

1524.  in Acta Parlt. Scotl. (1875), XII. 40/2. Þat Justice Airis be halden universale throu oute þe Ralme.

1759.  Mason, Caractactus, 86. What, if Cæsar aims To lord it universal o’er the world.

  16.  absol. with the. a. The whole of, all of (something expressed or implied); spec. in Logic and Philos., the whole class or genus, as distinct from the individuals comprising it.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boeth., V. pr. iv. (1868), 165. For resoun is she þat diffinisseþ þe vniuersel of hir conseite ryȝt þus.

1551.  T. Wilson, Logike, I i b. From the vniuersall to the particular, the argument goeth well.

1818.  Coleridge, Friend (ed. 2), I. 269. The ideas of the Necessary and the Universal.

1865.  Mozley, Mirac., ii. 46. The universal as a law and the universal as a proposition are wholly distinct.

1871.  Jowett, Plato, I. 265. Tell me what virtue is in the universal.

  † b.  By or in the universal, in respect of, or with reference to, the whole class; in general terms; generally. Obs.

1552.  Latimer, Serm. (1562), 127. Suche a maner of speakyng is vsed in the scripture, to speake by the vniuersall: meaning a great numbre, but yet not all: only those that be giltie.

1628.  Spencer, Logick, 206. Both of these distinct formes are one, and the same thing in the generall, or vniversall.

  † c.  The whole community; the people in general. Obs.

1676.  in Brent’s Counc. Trent, p. lxx. Which hath produced … a most intense desire of the conservation of their good Servant, and in the universal a more glorious fame to see … so singular a favour.

  † 17.  In universal: a. As a body or whole; collectively. b. In respect of every thing or part; entirely, wholly. Obs.

1387–8.  T. Usk, Test. Love, II. xiii. (Skeat), l. 70. At the ginninge of the worlde, every thing by him-selfe was good; and in universal they weren right good.

1615.  in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 168. The Spaniard interdicteth Trade to the East Indies in universal, and the Hollanders but to a part.

  B.  sb. 1. Logic and Philos. That which is predicated or asserted of all the individuals or species of a class or genus, or of many things which are regarded as forming a class; an abstract or general concept regarded either as having an absolute, mental, or nominal existence; a universal proposition; a general term, notion, or idea. Chiefly in pl. and opposed to particulars or singulars.

  In mediæval Scholastic philosophy the nature of universals gave rise to the great controversy which resulted in the division of the Schoolmen into Realists, Nominalists, and Conceptualists, according to their respective theories.

  sing.  1553.  Eden, Treat. New Ind. (Arb.), 9. A perticuler proueth no vniuersall.

1692.  Bentley, Boyle Lect., 141. It is merely a notional and imaginary thing, an abstract universal, which is properly nothing, a conception of our own making.

1697.  trans. Burgersdicius’ Logic, I. i. 3. A universal is that which is apt … to be predicated of many things, as man, horse, plant, &c.

1728.  Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Predicable, Thus Animal is an Universal, with regard to Man and Beast.

1751.  Phil. Trans., XLVII. 314. The business of natural philosophy is … to note down facts,… and … to collect their proper universal, by a fair … induction. Ibid. A new collection of constant and similar facts affords an higher universal.

  pl.  1606.  Bryskett, Civ. Life, 124. As the hand is apt to take hold of all instruments; so is this power or facultie apt to apprehend the formes of all things, from whence grow the vniuersals.

a. 1676.  Hale, Prim. Orig. Man. (1677), 28. For Universals are but Notions and Entia Rationis.

1725.  Watts, Logic (1726), 36. Some of these Universals are Genus’s, if compared with less common Natures.

1794.  Burke, On Petition of Unitarians, Wks. 1842, II. 474. No rational man ever did govern himself, by abstractions and universals.

1837.  Hallam, Hist. Lit., I. iii. § 67. The long controversies between the Realists and Nominalists concerning the nature of universals.

1860.  Abp. Thomson, Laws Th. (ed. 5), § 62. Universals … or those general properties which many things share alike, and which are acquired by the mind only by abstracting from the things that exhibit them.

1889.  Mivart, Orig. Hum. Reason, 43. General ideas, or ‘universals,’ only arise in our mind after we have experienced corresponding groups of sense-impressions.

  † b.  pl. Items of general information or news.

1650.  Howell, Lett., III. 3. This Letter runs upon Universalls, because I know your Lordship hath … a spacious understanding, which comprehends the whole world.

  † c.  Abstract magnitude or volume. Obs.

1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 66. Universal, or boak, as taken in the Mathematicks.

  2.  That which is universal; esp. one who or that which is universally powerful, potent, current, etc.

1556.  Olde, Antichrist, 49. For that cause this honour ought to be graunted to the bishop of Constantinople, that he maye be called the universall of all prelates and the bishop of bishoppes.

1709.  Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1720), III. 122. Omnipotent Gold has a Power so extensive, that we presume we are not guilty of Hyperbole … in representing it, as the grand Universal.

1855.  Milman, Lat. Chr., XIV. vii. VI. 528. The primitive word for ‘father’ is so nearly an universal, that [etc.].

  † 3.  The universe. Obs. (common 1600–1625.).

1569.  J. Sanford, trans. Agrippa’s Van. Artes, 65 b. It is no lesse folie to saye that, in the universall, is but one worlde alone.

1591.  Sparry, trans. Cattan’s Geomancie, 23. So the Earth … resteth in the middle of the whole vniuersall.

1613.  Chapman, Rev. Bussy d’Ambois, III. iv. 72. Hee that striues t’inuert The Vniuersals course with his poore way.

1628.  Feltham, Resolves, II. lviii. 168. There is a secret chaine in Nature, which drawes the Vniversall to revenge a vice.

  † 4.  A medicament or remedy affecting the whole body or system. Obs.

1656.  J. Smith, Pract. Physick, 119. Gallen commends a Bath after Universals.

1694.  Salmon, Bate’s Dispens., Pref. A 4 b. Russel’s Powder,… that Fam’d Universal, which for these twenty-five Years last past has obtain’d a general Reputation … in a manner through the whole world. Ibid., I. xvii. 793/2. If it be used for a Gonorrhœa,… Universals ought to be premised, that the Body may be cleansed as much as may be.