Universe is a semantic layer that maps the data structure 
found in databases(tables,columns,etc)in business terms.

A universe is a file that contains the following:
1.Connection parameters for one or more database middleware.
2.SQL structures called objects that map to actual SQL 
structures in the database such as columns, tables, and 
database functions. Objects are grouped into classes. 
Objects and classes are both visible to Web Intelligence 
users.
3.A schema of the tables and joins used in the database. 
Objects are built from the database structures that you 
include in your schema. The schema is only available to 
Designer users. It is not visible to Web Intelligence and 
Desktop Intelligence users.

A universe is a semantic layer which isolates the end user
from technical issues of database structure.
Actually it is a file which contains the connection
parameters to database middleware.
It contains the structures that map to actual SQL structures
in the database like columns, tables.
A schema of tables and joins used inthe database.

A Universe is a business-oriented mapping of the data 
structure found in databases: tables, columns, joins, etc.
  A Universe is a semantic layer between Database and end 
users.
   A Universe can represent any specific application, 
system, or group of users. For example, a universe can 
relate to a department in a company such as marketing or 
accounting.
   A Universe can also pertain to a section within a 
department or just about any set of organized procedures 
such as a payroll or inventory system. 
A Universe consists of a set of objects, grouped by classes

A universe is a file that contains the following:
• Connection parameters for one or more database middleware.
• SQL structures called objects that map to actual SQL 
structures in the
database such as columns, tables, and database functions. 
Objects are
grouped into classes. Objects and classes are both visible 
to Web
Intelligence users.
• A schema of the tables and joins used in the database. 
Objects are built
from the database structures that you include in your 
schema. The
schema is only available to Designer users. It is not 
visible to Web
Intelligence and Desktop Intelligence users.

universe is semantic layer between data base and querypanel