universe
universe — 名詞
1. all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together
宇宙
包含所有星系與物質的整個太空
all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together as one complete system
Jiwoo learned that the universe contains billions of galaxies, each with millions of stars.
Jiwoo 學到宇宙包含數十億個星系，每個星系都有數百萬顆恆星。
the universe contains + number + of + noun
Christopher pointed his telescope towards the night sky to observe distant parts of the universe.
Christopher 將望遠鏡指向夜空，觀察宇宙中遙遠的部分。
observe distant parts of the universe
Kwame wondered whether the universe will keep expanding forever or eventually collapse.
Kwame 想知道宇宙是否會永遠膨脹下去，還是終究會塌縮。
Shirin read an article about how scientists measure the age of the universe.
Shirin 閱讀了一篇關於科學家如何測量宇宙年齡的文章。
The Big Bang is thought to have created the universe about 14 billion years ago.
一般認為，大爆炸在大約140億年前創造了宇宙。
文法句型
the universe
the universe + verb (contains, expands, began)
the + adjective + universe (observable, known, expanding)
用法筆記
Usually used with the definite article 'the' — 'the universe.' This sense is rarely used in the plural form.
常見錯誤
2. a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, dist
平行宇宙
想像或理論中存在的獨立世界
a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, distinct from the known universe we live in
Amani enjoyed science-fiction stories set in a universe where time flows backwards.
Amani 很喜歡看那些以時間倒流的宇宙為背景的科幻故事。
a universe where [clause]
Tariq read that some physicists believe every choice creates a new parallel universe.
Tariq 讀到有些物理學家相信每一次選擇都會產生一個新的平行宇宙。
every choice creates a new parallel universe
Sivan dreams of an alternate universe in which she chose a completely different career.
Sivan 幻想著一個她選擇了完全不同職業的平行宇宙。
The film explores a universe ruled by machines instead of humans.
這部電影探討了一個由機器而非人類主宰的宇宙。
- alternate reality
more common in fiction, less technical
- parallel world
more general term, not limited to cosmology
文法句型
a/an + adjective + universe
a universe where/with/in which + clause
a universe of + noun
用法筆記
Often used with modifiers such as 'alternate,' 'parallel,' 'alternative,' or 'another' to distinguish it from our own universe. Common in science fiction and theoretical physics.
3. the particular area of life, activity, or experience that a person belongs to or
領域；天地
某人熟悉或歸屬的活動領域
the particular area of life, activity, or experience that a person belongs to or is familiar with
Manuela's whole universe changed when she moved from her small town to the capital city.
Manuela 從小鎮搬到首都後，她的整個世界都改變了。
possessive + universe
Hoa discovered a new universe of music after joining the school orchestra.
Hoa 加入學校樂團後，發現了一片全新的音樂天地。
a new universe of [domain]
The universe of professional football is very different from what fans see on television.
職業足球的世界和球迷在電視上看到的很不一樣。
Liam felt that his universe had collapsed when his parents said they were moving again.
父母說又要搬家時，Liam 覺得他的世界都崩塌了。
文法句型
possessive + universe
the universe of + noun (field, activity)
a new universe
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective ('my universe,' 'her universe') or an of-phrase ('the universe of publishing'). Metaphorical rather than literal — do not confuse with sense 1.
常見錯誤
4. a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that function
體系
獨立且自成一體的知識規則系統
a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that functions independently and has its own internal logic
Élise studied the mathematical universe of non-Euclidean geometry in her advanced class.
Élise 在高級課程中學習了非歐幾何的數學體系。
the mathematical universe of [domain]
In the universe of computer programming, each language has its own rules and conventions.
在程式設計的世界裡，每種語言都有自己的規則和慣例。
in the universe of [domain]
Dr. Okafor described quantum mechanics as a universe governed by probabilities rather than certainties.
Okafor 博士將量子力學描述為一個由機率而非確定性所支配的體系。
Jabari learned that the universe of classical music follows its own rules of harmony.
Jabari 了解到古典音樂的世界有其自身的和聲規則。
文法句型
the universe of + noun (mathematics, physics, ideas)
a/the + adjective + universe (mathematical, conceptual, moral)
用法筆記
Frequently used in academic and philosophical writing. Typically followed by 'of + domain' ('the universe of physics,' 'the universe of discourse'). The emphasis is on the system being self-contained, not on physical space.
5. in logic or mathematics, the complete collection of items, possibilities, or var
論域
討論中所涵蓋的全部對象
in logic or mathematics, the complete collection of items, possibilities, or variables that are being considered within a specific argument or problem
In logic class, the professor defined the universe as all possible outcomes of the experiment.
在邏輯課上，教授將論域定義為該實驗所有可能的結果。
defined the universe as [set]
When solving the equation, you must first identify the universe of numbers that are allowed.
解方程式時，必須先確定允許使用的數字範圍。
the universe of numbers
The universe of discourse in this argument includes only living species, not extinct ones.
這個論證的討論範圍只涵蓋現存物種，不包括已滅絕的。
Gita defined the universe of discourse as all integers between one and one hundred.
Gita 將論域定義為一至一百之間的所有整數。
- universal set
the preferred term in set theory
- domain of discourse
interchangeable but less common
文法句型
the universe of discourse
universe of + plural noun (numbers, outcomes, elements)
define/identify + the universe
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly in logic, mathematics, and formal semantics. The phrase 'universe of discourse' is the most common expression in logic. In set theory, it is often called the 'universal set.'
6. in statistics and research, the complete group of people, objects, or data that
母體
統計學中用來抽樣的完整對象集合
in statistics and research, the complete group of people, objects, or data that you want to study, from which a smaller sample is taken
The research universe consisted of all registered voters in the country over the age of 18.
該研究母體包含該國所有年滿18歲的登記選民。
universe consisted of [set]
Lakshmi defined her study universe as every patient treated at the hospital last year.
Lakshmi 將她的研究母體定義為去年在該醫院就診的所有病患。
defined [possessive] study universe as
Wei sampled from a universe of fifty thousand voters for his research on election trends.
Wei 為了研究選舉趨勢，從五萬名選民的母體中進行抽樣。
The marketing team surveyed a sample drawn from the universe of online shoppers aged 18 to 35.
行銷團隊從18至35歲的線上購物者母體中抽樣進行調查。
- population
more common in modern statistical writing
- sampling frame
more specific — the actual list from which the sample is drawn
- sample
the subset taken from the universe
文法句型
study universe
universe of + plural noun/group (voters, patients, shoppers)
the + adjective + universe (entire, target, survey)
用法筆記
In modern statistics, 'population' is more common than 'universe,' though the two terms are interchangeable in this sense. 'Universe' is frequently used in survey methodology and market research.