universalism

[ yoo-nuh-vur-suh-liz-uhm ]

noun

1. universal character; universality.
2. a universal range of knowledge, interests, or activities.
3. (initial capital letter) the doctrine that emphasizes the universal fatherhood of God and the final salvation of all souls. Compare apocatastasis ( def 2 ).

Universalism

¹

/ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a system of religious beliefs maintaining that all men are predestined for salvation

universalism

²

/ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a universal feature or characteristic
2. another word for universality
3. social welfare the principle that welfare services should be available to all by right, according to need, and not restricted by individual ability to pay, but funded by general contributions through taxes, rates, or national insurance payments

Derived Forms

• ˌUniˈversalist, nounadjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of universalism¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; universal + -ism

Example Sentences

This concept of “universalism” makes it hard for the country to acknowledge its racial and religious minorities even today.

From The Daily Beast

The striking, inspiring thing about the revolutions in the Middle East is their genuine universalism.

From The Daily Beast

Apparently both universalism and individualism become more prominent with the course of time.

From Project Gutenberg

In the vicinity of Boston there was no movement in favor of Universalism.

From Project Gutenberg

He was the pioneer, the leader, the propagator, of Universalism.

From Project Gutenberg

In Das Kunstwerk der Zukunft he showed that beyond the "local nationalism" were signs of a "supernational universalism."

From Project Gutenberg

The Christian view makes uniquely clear the universalism of the moral law.

From Project Gutenberg