universalityn.
/ˌjuːnᵻvəːˈsalᵻti/, U.S. /ˌjunəvərˈsælədi/ I. The quality or fact of being universal.† 3. The study or contemplation of things from a general point of view. Obsolete. rare.
1.
a. The quality or fact of extending over, existing in, or belonging to the whole of something specified or implied; esp. extension, prevalence, or diffusion throughout the whole world or in all things.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > generality or prevalence > universality
universality?c1400
university1553
universalness1561
universalty1567
epidemicalness1646
allnessa1649
epidemicity1716
universalism1835
catholicity1868
globality1931
?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) v. pr. iv. l. 4920 Þat is..þat resoun lokeþ and comprehendiþ by resoun of vniuersalite [L. in ratione universitatis], boþe þat þat is sensible and þat þat is ymaginable.
c1450 ( J. Walton tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Linc. Cathedral 103) 316 (MED) Resoun..hire-self beholdeþ well and clere Be resoun of vniuersalite All þat þise othere may conseyue and see.
1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. xx. 351 All men knowe, that cheefly Auerrhoes vrgeth the eternitie of the world, and the vniuersalitie of one onely Mynd.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie i. ix. 18 The Nobilitie and dignitie of the Art considered aswell by vniuersalitie as antiquitie.
1624 H. Mason New Art of Lying ii. 25 Persons claimeth..Universality, Antiquity, and Consent, for this..vpstart fancie of their owne.
1686 in W. Mure Select. Family Papers Caldwell (1854) I. 168 The french language, being, because of its universalitie, so very necessarie for converse.
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry 501 The Planting of Fruit-Trees;..and the Advantages of it, which consist..in the Universality of it, there being hardly any Soil, but one sort..or other may be raised on them.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. 110 God..cannot depart from..that Universality of Essence, by and in whom alone all Essences subsist.
1811 J. Pinkerton Petralogy I. Introd. p. xxxvi Experiments more and more evince the universality of iron.
1879 F. W. Farrar Life & Work St. Paul II. ix. xxxix. 266 He has shown the universality of guilt, and the universality of grace.
1931 E. H. Zeydel tr. H. Wehberg Outlawry of War i. iv. 31 Only a universal pact can avoid the dangers of special agreements and can guarantee the universality of peace and security.
1986 J. M. Boice Found. Christian Faith (rev ed.) II. i. ii. 206 The universality of sin is the result of God's judgement upon the race because of Adam's transgression.
2001 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 18 Oct. 27/2 The universality of the incest taboo, ‘a natural phenomenon’, necessitates marriage.
b. The extension of a church or religion (esp. Roman Catholicism) to all nations or people. Now rare.Esp. in 16th and 17th centuries, the ‘universality’ or all-encompassing nature of Roman Catholicism was often cited by Catholics as a reason to assert superiority over Protestant and Reformed churches.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > Catholicity > [noun]
universality1555
catholicness1605
catholicship1653
Catholicism1789
ecumenicity1840
catholicity1847
unsectarianism1866
ecumenicality1869
undenominationalism1883
ecumenicalism1888
ecumenism1948
ecumenics1982
1555 E. Bonner Homelies (new ed.) vii. f. 35v There are thre meanes to trye a churche, or doctryne the fyrst is antiquitie, the second, is vniuersalitie, the thyrde, is vnitie.
?1559 A. P. tr. Vincent of Lerins Golden Treat. (title page) The antiquitie, and vniuersalitie, of the Catholicke Religion.
1574 J. Whitgift Def. Aunswere to Admon. ii. 106 This strengthneth the Papistes vniversalitie.
1608 A. Willet Hexapla in Exodum 551 Vniuersalitie and multitude..is no good rule to know the right church..by.
1691 T. P. Blount Ess. 90 That thing call'd Vniversality, is so slight an Evidence of Truth, that even Truth it self is asham'd of it.
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. (at cited word) The Catholicks assert the Universality of their Church, both as to Time, and Persons.
1730 J. Denne (title) Want of universality no just objection to the truth of the Christian religion.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People ix. §1 He dismissed with contempt the accepted test of universality.
1961 P. Tillich in Theol. Christian Mission iv. 286 Missionary work is that work in which the potential universality of Christianity becomes evident day by day.
c. Supreme power or authority; esp. that considered to be held by the Pope over secular rulers. Cf. universal adj. 1d. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > power > [noun] > great or supreme power
majestyc1375
power of life and death1553
universality1565
potentacy1576
trespuissance1587
superpower1849
magnipotence1854
1565 J. Jewel tr. St. Gregory the Great in Replie Hardinges Answeare iv. 227 If this title of vniuersalitie might belonge to any man, it should chiefely belonge vnto S. Peter: But it belongeth not vnto S. Peter: Therefore it can belonge to no man.
1591 G. Fletcher Of Russe Common Wealth 104 The Patriarches, in very rich attire, with a ball, or sphere on the top of his myter, to signifie his vniuersalitie ouer that Church.
1620 T. Granger Syntagma Logicum 228 Gregory pronounced the same of Iohn Patriarch of constantinople affecting vniuersalitie.
1661 S. Morgan Sphere of Gentry iii. vii. 67 The pope, who hath usurped the Universality, will have his triple Crown, to signifie his dominion over the Universe.
1730 S. Whatley tr. J. Lenfant Hist. Council of Constance II. 558 This is by no means aim'd at the Decrees of the Vth Session, nor at the Superiority and Universality of the Council of Constance.
1846 tr. Pope Gregory VII in tr. M. La Châtre Public & Private Hist. Popes of Rome I. 377/2 The pope is the representative of God on earth; he should then govern the world. To him alone pertain infallibility and universality.
1964 Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. 14 98 This claim to universality is the one feature which distinguishes the [Holy Roman] emperor from any other medieval king.
2006 V. Grossi in W. Kasper Petrine Ministry 119 No doubt was cast in the Middle Ages on the universality of the pope.
2.
a. The fact or quality of extending or applying to all (or most of) the members of a class of persons or things; inclusion of all (or most) individuals, cases, or instances.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > fact of applying to or affecting all
universality?1567
?1567 Def. Priestes Mariages (new ed.) 140 The vniuersalitie of S. Paules sentence.
1577 W. Harrison Descr. Eng. (1877) ii. xix. i. 307 If a man may presentlie giue a ghesse at the vniuersalitie of this euill.
1634 in T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Instit. Christian Relig. (rev. ed.) Table of Contents sig. Xxxv The universality of the promises of salvation, maketh nothing against the doctrine of the predestination of the reprobate.
1695 J. Edwards Disc. conc. Old & New-Test. III. vii. 342 The Universality of the Slaughter.
1764 T. Harmer Observ. Passages Script. ii. §17. 75 The tents of the Arabs are with great universality black.
1771 J. Reynolds Disc. Royal Acad. (1778) iv. 113 He might have seen it in an instance or two; and he mistook accident for universality.
1829 T. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. July 265 Closely connected with the universality of suffrage, is the opportunity of its frequent exercise.
1873 J. G. Holland Arthur Bonnicastle ix. 162 The universality of the influence which they [sc. religious revivals] exert during the time of their highest activity.
1952 Times 23 Jan. 5/3 The chief value of the United Nations..lies precisely in its universality.
2001 National Post (Canada) 6 June a15/2 He was considering changing the newly announced education tax credit so it will be contingent on a means test... Dropping the universality of the credit would be an extraordinary volte face.
b. Applicability or validity of a law or rule in every case or instance.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > rule of law > [noun] > validity or legal force
strengthOE
vigour1425
validity?1553
force1593
universality1599
1599 E. Wright tr. S. Stevin Hauen-finding Art 3 I thought good to propound a knowen place for example, that the vniuersality of the same rule might be knowen in long nauigations.
1669 J. Owen Truth & Innocence Vindicated Pref. 30 I cannot believe that any one that professeth the Religion taught by Jesus Christ, and contained in the Scripture, can be..such a stranger to the Accuracy, Spirituality, and Universality of the Law.
1688 Marquis of Halifax Lady's New-years Gift 29 The universality of the Rule seemeth to be a Grievance, and it appeareth reasonable, that there might be an Exemption for extraordinary Women, from ordinary Rules.
1713 G. Berkeley Passive Obed. (ed. 3) §53. 42 The Universality of this Mathematical Rule.
1747 Gentleman's Mag. Mar. 120/2 That we are not sure of the universality of this law.
1855 D. Brewster Mem. Life I. Newton (new ed.) I. xiii. 381 Every new comet, every new planet,..proclaims the universality of Newton's philosophy.
1874 W. B. Carpenter Princ. Mental Physiol. ii. xvi. 634 The universality of the Law of Gravitation.
1932 C. E. M. Joad Philos. Aspects Mod. Sci. viii. 190 The alleged certainty and universality of law has disappeared from the scientist's world.
2003 N.Y. Rev. Bks. 1 May 39/1 What we might call the ‘Newtonian Ideal’ in science is the formulation of some principle of great generality, if not universality, a law or small set of laws that applies at all times and in all places.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > [noun] > general study
universality1605
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. G1v Another Errour..is, that after the distribution of particular Arts and Sciences, men haue abandoned vniuersalitie, or Philosophia prima . View more context for this quotation
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Aa3 If any man thinke Philosophie and Vniuersalitie to be idle Studies; he doth not consider that all Professions are from thence serued, and supplyed. View more context for this quotation
4. † c. The fact of knowing all or many people. Obsolete. rare.
a. The quality of extending to or including all or a great variety of subjects; wide range of interests or knowledge; great versatility of talent, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > high intelligence, genius > [noun] > breadth, depth, strength of intellect
strengthOE
largenessa1382
profoundnessc1475
breadth1532
profundity1559
amplitude1575
deptha1593
powerfulnessc1595
universality1605
fathoma1616
spaciousness1657
comprehensiveness1683
grasp1683
altitudo1933
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. A3 There seemeth to be no lesse contention betweene the excellencie of your Maiesties gifts of Nature, and the vniuersalitie and profection of your learning.
1763 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Painting III. i. 10 The following [pictures] by Streater..show the universality of his talent.
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village I. 17 A man..of that peculiar universality of genius which forms..a handy fellow.
1844 F. Fauvel-Gouraud Phreno-mnemotechnic Dict.: Pt. 1 4 Universality of knowledge is the direct result of profound study, attentive observations and numerous readings.
1945 Amer. Hist. Rev. 50 598 Leonardo was great in the universality of his genius.
1965 Times 7 Jan. 12/6 As a teacher he was already exhibiting some of that universality of interest and of competence that was to become his hallmark.
2005 Africa News (Nexis) 14 Nov. The universality of his interests and the scope of his skills and knowledge make JoeMad into a truly innovative and revolutionary figure.
b. As a personal quality: knowledge or understanding of, or interest in, many subjects or pursuits; possession of breadth of learning or accomplishment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > scholarly knowledge, erudition > large amount of knowledge > [noun] > possession of
universality1605
polymathy1642
all-knowingness1674
pansophia1674
pansophy1792
polyhistory1799
multiscience1816
encyclopaedism1833
universalism1838
omnisciencea1845
know-everythingism1855
pansophism1868
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. A3v In great veneration, was ascribed to the ancient Hermes; the power and fortune of a King; the knowledge and illumination of a Priest; and the learning and vniuersalitie of a Philosopher. View more context for this quotation
1758 J. Reed Madrigal & Trulletta i. i. 6 It would be an affront to the above gentleman's merit and universality, to add a note, to inform the world who, and what he is.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus ii. iv. 44/1 Whereby..the vague universality of a Man shall find himself ready-moulded into a specific Craftsman.
1862 F. D. Maurice Mod. Philos. viii. 518 He was following in the train of Leibnitz, and rivalling his universality.
1982 M. B. Hall in A. Chastel et al. Renaissance viii. 277 When dealing with Renaissance figures we should not merely say that they tended towards universality, but realize how this width of horizon affected the development of their thought.
2006 V. S. Varadarajan Euler through Time 283 Hilbert achieved his universality by concentrating on one area for a length of time and then moving on to another area.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [noun] > state or quality of being sociable > fact of knowing a large number of persons
universality1838
1838 G. Ticknor Jrnl. 4 June in Life, Lett. & Jrnls. (1876) II. ix. 182 He [sc. Rogers] added, that he himself had never seen him so as to know him..; a curious fact, considering Rogers's own universality.
5. Esp. of writing: the fact or quality of applying, relating, or belonging to all times or all places. Esp. of a writer: the ability to understand, sympathize with, or relate to all people or cultures.
ΚΠ
1855 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 29 Sept. in Eng. Notebks. (1997) I. iii. 365 Perhaps there may be a universality in his face that gives it this independence of race and epoch.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Hours with Mystics I. 7 One quality in Gower I have always especially liked,—his universality... What I mean is that with every kind of enquiry, every province of culture, he seems to have intuitively the readiest sympathy.
1862 Macmillan's Mag. 240 The universality of the heart, which enables them to feel for, and make allowances for all.
1900 E. Holmes What is Poetry? 65 Universality, not individuality, is of the essence of the poet's genius... His poetry..wakes a response in the hearts of others, not only in his own time, but also in far distant ages.
1963 F. C. Crews Pooh Perplex 143 When Milne refers to a ‘small spinney of larch trees’, he is not indulging in that irresponsible ‘universality’ that your New Critic finds everywhere, but is being specific and definite.
1990 Financial Rev. (Sydney) 5 Oct. 9/2 The greatness of the play, though, lies in its universality.
II. A universal person or thing.† 9. Something which exists everywhere or in all things: a universal being. Obsolete. rare.
6. † b. The whole world; the universe. Cf. university n. 2c. Obsolete.† c. The whole subject; a matter or subject regarded generally or as a whole. Obsolete. rare.
a. † (b) Without of. The whole people or state; the people in general, the masses. Obsolete.
(a) The entirety or sum total of something, esp. the whole body of a nation, humankind, etc., regarded collectively; (also) the majority or main body of the (ordinary) people. Cf. university n. 2. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > [noun]
maneOE
worldOE
all fleshc1000
mankinOE
earthOE
little worldc1175
man's kinda1200
mankinda1225
worldrichec1275
slimec1315
kindc1325
world1340
sectc1400
humanityc1450
microcosma1475
peoplea1500
the human kindred?1533
race1553
homo1561
humankind1561
universality1561
deadly?1590
mortality1598
rational1601
vicegerent1601
small world1604
flesh and blooda1616
mannity1621
human race1623
universea1645
nations1667
public1699
the species1711
Adamhood1828
Jock Tamson's bairns1832
folx1833
Bimana1839
human1841
peeps1847
menfolk1870
manfolk1876
amniota1879
peoplekind1956
personkind1972
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. f. 7 Shall the whole vniuersalitie of the world be without this prerogatiue?
1588 Copy of Let. in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 82 The universality of the people through the realm.
1655 Theophania 77 The vast frame of the world may be shaken, and the universality of nature suffer a change.
1673 in O. Airy Essex Papers (1890) I. 65 Ye Universallity of their Clergie,..& all their Merchants.
1680 H. More Apocalypsis Apocalypseos 163 One mighty City..consisting of the Universality of Cities considered as one.
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation ii. 72 So averse did the universality of the nation stand against popery.
1737 L. Clarke Compl. Hist. Bible I. vi. 356 Innumerable Acclamations..by the Universality of the People.
1848 Times 4 Mar. 5/7 The Republic is the universality of the citizens.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iv. §5. 203 The consent of the prelates, earls, barons, and universality of the realm.
1970 J. L. Shneidman Rise of Aragonese-Catalan Empire I. vii. 234 The Imperial Diet of Besançon in 1157 represented the universality of the empire.
2003 I. Adams & R. W. Dyson Fifty Major Polit. Thinkers 37 Sovereignty in the political community should lie with the universality of the citizens.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > people collectively > [noun] > all people
all the worldOE
all ledea1275
more and minc1275
most and leasta1300
much and litec1330
mo and lessc1426
the whole world1530
cut and long tail1576
universal1596
general1604
universality1606
university1677
all outdoors1833
John Q.1937
1606 B. Barnes Foure Bks. Offices ii. 65 Oligarchie..is when the Commonwealth or Vniuersalitie bee forceably yoaked vnder the violent lusts and empire of a few Nobles.
1614 W. Raleigh Hist. World i. v. iii. §13. 496 The common happinesse of the vniuersalitie.
1644 H. Parker Jus Populi 18 The Parliament differs many wayes from the rude bulk of the universality.
1675 H. Neville tr. N. Machiavelli Prince xvii, in tr. N. Machiavelli Wks. 221 Exorbitant mercy has an ill effect upon the whole universality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > [noun]
kindlOE
worldc1175
framea1325
creaturec1384
universityc1450
engine?1510
universal1569
universality1577
mass1587
universe1589
all1598
cosmosie1600
macrocosm1602
existence1610
system1610
megacosm1617
cosmos1650
materialism1817
world-all1847
panarchy1848
multiverse1895
metaverse1994
1577 M. Hanmer tr. Socrates Scholasticus ii. xvii, in Aunc. Eccl. Hist. 266 Appoynted by his father, who is Lorde of all thinges, the prince of all this vniuersalitie.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) iii. x. sig. Oo3 What madd furie can euer so enueagle any conceipte, as to see our mortall..selues to haue a reason, and that this vniuersalitie (whereof we are but the lest pieces) should be vtterly deuoide thereof?
1593 Queen Elizabeth I tr. Boethius De Consolatione Philosophiæ in Queen Elizabeth's Englishings (1899) iii. pr. xii. 72 That God was he that ruld the vniuersalitie by the raynes of goodnes.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 1024 Time..is the cause..and order that conteineth and holdeth together all things, according to which, the nature of the world, and this whole universality, which also is animate, doth move.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > the whole or all > [noun] > the whole subject or matter
universality1726
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of ideation > topic, subject-matter > [noun] > as a whole
universality1726
1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture II. 5/1 I shall speak first of those wherein this particular Art is most concerned; and as for the others, which relate to the universality, they shall serve by way of epilogue.
7. A collective whole or body, as distinct from one of the parts of which it is composed.In later use chiefly in legal contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > [noun] > a complex whole > an organized or collective whole
altogethereOE
body1340
corpse1533
universality1561
globe?1594
orb1603
ensemble1703
organism1768
organity1929
1561 H. Becher tr. Vocation & Callyng All Nations i. sig. D(v) All men, all fulnesse, all Israell, not alway to be referred to the vniuersalitie, but many tymes to a part.
1618 T. Adams Happines of Church ii. 6 There is a time when the elect shall meete in one vniuersalitie. Though now we are scattered all ouer the broad face of the earth; dispersed and distressed; yet we shall meet.
1642 J. Spelman View of Observ. upon His Majesties Late Answers 8 Kingdome or Regnum denotes an universalitie or body collected.
1875 E. Poste tr. Gaius Institutionum Iuris Civilis (ed. 2) ii. Comm. 290 As single things can be bequeathed, so can a universality.
2003 I. Van Bael & J.-F. Bellis Business Law Guide to Belgium (ed. 2) v. 174 A universality of goods refers to all the assets and liabilities used by a taxpayer in the exercise of a professional activity.
8. † b. A universal medicine or remedy; a panacea. Obsolete. rare.
a. A general statement or description, a generality; (Logic and Philosophy) = universal n. 2a. Usually in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > generality > [noun] > a general class, point, proposition, or description
generalityc1443
general1550
universality1572
1572 T. Wilson Disc. Vsurye f. 169v You shall not do well, to vse suche argumentes, and to stande vpon vniuersalities.
a1591 H. Smith Sinfull Mans Search (1592) sig. A5 To the Heathen hee shewed vniuersalities and antiquities.
1608 D. Tuvill Ess. Politicke, & Morall f. 9 Simple men; who..beeing vnable to iudge, or conceiue of vniuersalities, suffer themselues..to be wholly guided by their externall sense.
1629 H. Burton Truth's Triumph 210 The deceitful man loueth to walke in vniuersalities or generalities.
1647 Bp. J. Taylor Θεολογία Ἐκλεκτική ix. 162 If you can..determine those great questions which consist much in universalities, then also you may determine the particulars.
1725 I. Watts Logick 233 A moral Universality, is, when the Predicate agrees to the greatest part of the Particulars which are contained under the universal Subject; as..All the old Romans loved their Country.
?1740 Erskine tr. Trav.& Adventures Mademoiselle de Richelieu (ed. 2) II. 92 The Labyrinths of metaphysical Certitudes, Distinctions, Evidences, Forms, Perfections, Possibles, and Universalities.
1847 Visitor 468/2 The realist school admitted reality in what they called universalities,—that is to say, general ideas, taken abstractedly from the thing itself.
1892 W. Wallace tr. G. W. F. Hegel Logic (ed. 2) ix. 319 The subject, being immediate and thus empirically concrete, has several others, and could therefore be coupled with exactly as many other universalities as it possesses single qualities.
1931 Jrnl. Philos. 28 13 Aristotle apparently set himself resolutely to studying the particulars as well as the universalities of animal life.
1961 I. Thomas tr. I. M. Bocheński Hist. Formal Logic ii. i. ii. 80 In every syllogism one of the premisses must be affirmative, an universality must be present.
1993 Times (Nexis) 25 May Everybody talks in universalities and the actors..allow their characters' axioms..to fly by without the focus of personal self-experience.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > [noun] > a cure or remedy > universal
panacea1548
heal-all1577
universal1656
panpharmacal1657
panacaeon1684
panacya1690
universality1756
cure-all1870
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [noun] > a medicine or medicament > universal medicine
mithridatum1526
mithridate1528
mithridaticon?1544
panacea1548
mithridatium1559
heal-all1577
catholicon1611
panchreston1623
allheal1630
panpharmacon1649
universal1656
diacatholicon1665
panacaeon1684
panacya1690
panchrest1728
universality1756
cure-all1870
1756 W. Toldervy Hist. Two Orphans IV. 126 Men who..poyson you with universalities, medicines that are generally ineffectual, and of whose formations they are quite unacquainted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun]
godeOE
deityc1374
higher powerc1384
princec1384
divinityc1386
governorc1400
powerc1425
numen1495
fear1535
heaven1554
godheada1586
godhood1586
landlorda1635
supreme1643
supercelestial1652
supernal1661
universality1681
father1820
unspeakable1843
Molimo1861
Mlimo1897
superperson1907
somebody up there1972
sky fairy1997
1681 Whole Duty of Nations 7 He himself is the prime Unity and Universality.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, November 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.?c1400