universe

See also: Universe

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English universe, from Old French univers, from Latin universum (all things, as a whole, the universe), neuter of universus (all together, whole, entire, collective, general, literally turned or combined into one), from uni-, combining form of unus (one) + versus (turned), perfect passive participle of vertō (to turn). Analyzable as uni- + -verse through backformation of -verse.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈjuːnɪˌvɜːs/ IPA(key): /ˈjuːniːˌvɜ(ɹ)s/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈjuːnəˌvɝs/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)s

Proper noun

universe

  1. Alternative letter-case form of Universe; Our universe.

Noun

universe (plural universes)

  1. The sum of everything that exists in the cosmos.
    I think that the universe was created by a life force rather than a deity.
    1. An entity similar to our universe; one component of a larger entity known as the multiverse.
  2. Everything under consideration.
    In all this universe of possibilities, there is only one feasible option.
    1. (mathematics) The set of all things considered.
    2. (statistics, psychometrics) The set of all admissible observations.
      • 2005, Dato de Gruijter, Leo van der Kamp, Statistical Test Theory for Education and psychology, page 79:
        In general content-related evidence demonstrates the degree to which the sample of items, tasks or questions on a test is representative of some defined universe or domain of content.
    3. (marketing, economics) A sample taken from the population.
  3. An imaginary collection of worlds.
    The universe in this comic book series is richly imagined.
    1. (literature, films) A collection of stories with characters and settings that are less interrelated than those of sequels or prequels.
  4. A whole world, in the sense of perspective or social setting.
    That didn’t just rock my world, it rocked my universe.
  5. (pantheism) A deity who is equivalent to the sum of everything that exists in the cosmos.
    The universe wants you to succeed.
  6. (archaic) The Earth, the sphere of the world.

Derived terms

Prefixed forms
English terms suffixed with -verse
Other blends not included above as derivations of -verse
Expressions: noun phrases
Expressions: other phrases

Translations

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

See also

Latin

Etymology

From ūniversus + (adverbial suffix).

Pronunciation

Adverb

ūniversē (not comparable)

  1. Generally; in general.

References

  • universe”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • universe”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
  • universe in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.

Middle English

Etymology

From Old French univers, from Latin ūniversus.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈiu̯nivɛrs/

Noun

universe

  1. (Late Middle English, rare) The universe; the stars.

Descendants

  • English: universe
  • Scots: universe

References

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