Universiële

Universiële is a Dutch adjective meaning universal or pertaining to the whole. It is used to describe concepts, laws, or truths that are considered applicable across different contexts, cultures, or times, rather than being limited to a particular case or locale.

Origin and forms: The term derives from the Latin universalis and the French universel. In contemporary Dutch, the more common spelling is universeel; universiële appears chiefly as an older orthography or in certain fixed names and titles. The form universiële may also be encountered in older texts or before feminine nouns, but in modern standard Dutch universeel or universele is generally preferred.

Usage and fields: In philosophy and theology, universality is a central notion, as in discussions of universal concepts (universalia) or universal rights. In linguistics, law, and ethics, universal statements or universal design principles are described with the adjective universeel or universele, depending on noun gender and definiteness. The term often appears in discussions about whether certain principles apply globally or are contingent on local conditions.

See also: universalia, universalism, universality.