universal

Universal, from the Latin universalis meaning "whole, entire," is an adjective and noun used to denote applicability to all members of a group or to all known cases. The term appears in philosophy, science, and everyday usage, as well as in brand names and organizations.

In philosophy, universals are general properties or kinds that can be shared by many particular objects, such as redness or humanity. The debate over universals concerns whether such entities exist independently (realism) or are merely mental constructs (nominalism). In logic, universal quantification denotes statements that hold for all members of a domain, as in "for all x."

In science and mathematics, universal often refers to laws, constants, or principles thought to apply across contexts. In set theory, a universal set would contain all objects under consideration, but in standard formal systems it is not a set.

In culture and industry, Universal is a well-known brand element in several large media companies. NBCUniversal is a multinational conglomerate; Universal Pictures is its film studio; Universal Studios operates theme parks; Universal Music Group is a leading music company.

Beyond institutions, universal design seeks products usable by people with diverse needs; universal health care aims to provide broad access to medical services; a universal language is a proposed means of global communication.