universalist
Meaning
A person who believes that all people will eventually be saved by God.
A person who has broad knowledge, interests, or abilities in many different fields.
Relating to the belief that all people will be saved or to a person with broad knowledge.
Structure
Usage
As a theological universalist, she rejected the concept of eternal damnation.
He was a true universalist, equally adept in philosophy, science, and the arts.
Universalist ideals in the 18th century emphasized reason and shared human morality.
Etymology
The word 'universalist' is built upon the core concept of 'the whole', derived from the Latin 'universus', itself a combination of 'unus' (one) and 'versus' (turned). The suffix '-al' transforms this into the adjective 'universal', meaning 'pertaining to all'. Finally, the agent suffix '-ist' is appended, creating a noun for a person who advocates or believes in a doctrine encompassing all. Thus, the term's logic moves from the literal idea of 'turned into one' to the abstract principles of inclusivity, whether in theological salvation or encyclopedic knowledge.
Analysis
- univers: From Latin 'universus', meaning 'whole, entire, all together'. - al: A suffix forming adjectives, from Latin '-alis'. - ist: A suffix forming agent nouns, from Greek '-istes', via Latin '-ista'.