wszech

Wszech is a Polish combining form meaning "all" that appears predominantly as a prefix in a wide range of words. In contemporary Polish it is nearly always used in compounds rather than as a standalone word, where it signals totality, universality, or all-encompassing quality.

Etymology and use: the form originates in Old Polish as wszech- and is related to Slavic roots for “whole” or “entire.” As a productive prefix, it attaches to adjectives and nouns to intensify or universalize their meaning. In modern usage, wszech- often conveys formal, literary, or theological sense, though it also appears in everyday vocabulary when describing general-purpose attributes or capabilities.

Common derivatives include: wszechświat (universe), wszechmocny (omnipotent), wszechobecny (ubiquitous), wszechstronny (versatile, all-around), wszechwiedzący or wszechwiedza (omniscient/omniscience), and wszechobecność (ubiquity). These forms illustrate how wszech- functions as a universalizing prefix across domains such as science, philosophy, theology, and everyday description.

Usage notes: wszech- is primarily a literary and formal device in Polish. It tends to appear in contexts dealing with totality or universality, such as descriptions of divine attributes, universal principles, or comprehensive capabilities. While highly productive, it is less common in casual speech, where simpler expressions may be preferred.

See also: omni- (Latin-derived prefix with a similar meaning in multilingual contexts); wszech- in other Slavic languages.