universe
[yoo-nuh-vurs]
- the totality of known or supposed objects and phenomena throughout space; the cosmos; macrocosm.
- the whole world, especially with reference to humanity: a truth known throughout the universe.
- a world or sphere in which something exists or prevails: his private universe.
- Also called universe of discourse. Logic. the aggregate of all the objects, attributes, and relations assumed or implied in a given discussion.
- Also called universal set. Mathematics. the set of all elements under discussion for a given problem.
- Statistics. the entire population under study.
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Origin of universe
1325–75; Middle English < Old French univers < Latin ūniversum, noun use of neuter of ūniversus entire, all, literally, turned into one, equivalent to ūni- uni- + versus (past participle of vertere to turn)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
universe of discourse
- logic the complete range of objects, events, attributes, relations, ideas, etc, that are expressed, assumed, or implied in a discussion
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universe
- astronomy the aggregate of all existing matter, energy, and space
- human beings collectively
- a province or sphere of thought or activity
- statistics another word for population (def. 7)
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Word Origin
C16: from French univers, from Latin ūniversum the whole world, from ūniversus all together, from uni- + vertere to turn
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for universe of discourse
universe
n.
1580s, "the whole world, cosmos," from Old French univers (12c.), from Latin universum "the universe," noun use of neuter of adj. universus "all together," literally "turned into one," from unus "one" (see one) + versus, past participle of vertere "to turn" (see versus). Properly a loan-translation of Greek to holon "the universe," noun use of neuter of adj. holos "whole" (see safe (adj.)).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
universe
[yōō′nə-vûrs′]
- The totality of matter, energy, and space, including the Solar System, the galaxies, and the contents of the space between the galaxies. Current theories of cosmology suggest that the universe is constantly expanding.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.