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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Universalité, -y, -ie, n. Also: universalytie. [ME and e.m.E. vniuersalite (Chaucer), vniuersalitie (?1559), universality (1588), F. universalité, late L. ūniversālitāt-.]

1. The fact or quality of extending over, or having authority and validity in, the whole (of what is implied by the context). 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 173/5.
The secund … propirte of ane gude and godlie doctryne … is vniuersalite, that is to say that it be approvin vniuersalie be all regiouns, all natiouns professand the fayth of Jesus Christ 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 173/21.
The mes has evir had vniuersalite Forquhy [it] … hes beyn approvin vniuersalie be all regiouns, all natiouns [etc.] 1562-3 Winȝet II 73/18.
In the Kirk self it is necessare that the consent of vniuersalitie and of antiquitie alyke be considerit 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii xv 3 (1678) 425.
I find Mr. Alexander Colvil call'd in his gift, General-justice-deput, which is done to denotat the universality of the jurisdiction; and to distinguish them from justices in that part, such as are these noble-men and others, who have the power of justiciary over their own lands 1686 Caldwell P. I 168.
The French language being because of its universalitie so very necessarie for converse

2. The whole, as distinct from its constituent parts. 1562-3 Winȝet II 68/25, 29.
Gif ony tyme ane part sal rebel contrare the vniuersalitie … lat thame præfer the integritie of the vniuersalitie to the corruptioun of a part c1590 Fowler II 147/26.
Bycaus euerye cytie is devyded ather in crafts or in quarters, he [sc. a prince] ought thairfor to have in reputation that vniversalytie and conjoyned bodye