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DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

274 / 291
adjective / noun

universal

yoo-nih-VUR-sul/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsl/

Applying to or found in every relevant case.

The broad umbrella provides universal protection for the children gathered beneath it.

A diverse group of children all protected from rain beneath one broad umbrella, everyone included.
Etymology
uniLatinone
+versLatinturn
+alLatinof, relating to

The image of being “turned into one” produced the meaning “all together” or “whole.” Universal therefore describes something applying to the whole group, rather than only particular members.

In context

ABC News3:53
Universal childcare for every baby age zero to five universal pre-k for every three-year-old and four-year-old in this country
Democratic candidates debate: Education | ABC News

More examples

  • Their proposal received nearly universal support.
  • The philosopher debated whether moral universals exist.
  • No single solution is universal.

Forms

universal · universals

universally adverb — in every relevant case

Similar words

general
Applying broadly, but not necessarily without exception.
all-encompassing
Including everything relevant.