Etimology
From Middle English general, in turn from Anglo-Norman general, generall, Middle French general, and their source, Latin generālis, from genus (“class, kind”) + -ālis (“-al”); thus morphologically parallel with, and a doublet of, generic.
adjective
general (comparative more general, superlative most general)
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal. [from 13th c.]
(sometimes postpositive) Applied to a person (as a postmodifier or a normal preceding adjective) to indicate supreme rank, in civil or military titles, and later in other terms; pre-eminent. [from 14th c.]
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual. [from 14th c.]
Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range. [from 14th c.]
Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite. [from 16th c.]
Not of a specific class; miscellaneous. [from 16th c.]
Examples
Synonyms: common, universal; see also Thesaurus:generic
Antonyms: specific, particular; see also Thesaurus:specific
It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed […] .
"Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.
That each, who seems a separate whole,Should move his rounds, and fusing allThe skirts of self again, should fallRemerging in the general Soul,Is faith as vague as all unsweet: […]
Undoubtedly the age of the Antonines was much better than any later age until the Renaissance, from the point of view of the general happiness.
One advantage of having profitable companies in Britain is that they pay large sums in corporate tax into the Exchequer, which in theory at least is used for the general good.
For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General.
He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army […] .
Synonyms: typical, usual, common; see also Thesaurus:common
Antonyms: abnormal, uncommon
‘I can't quite afford you the sympathy you expect upon this score,’ I replied; ‘the misfortune is so general, that it belongs to one half of the species […] .’
The general opinion on Baz Luhrmann's overstuffed epic Australia seems to be that it throws in everything but the kitchen sink, and then tosses that in too, just to be sure.
Synonyms: broad, generic; see also Thesaurus:generic
M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace.
Already in the primary school work is conducted for the purpose of equipping the pupils with those elements of general knowledge which are closely related to the military preparation of future warriors.
Supraventricular tachycardia is a general term indicating a rapid heartbeat coming from the top chambers of the heart - in essence, above the lower chamber .
As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature.
There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general.
The quick answer is that the 1893 Exposition was simply so important — "the greatest event in the history of the country since the Civil War," as Harper's put it that October — but that feels too general.
Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph.
general goods
His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer […] .
noun
general (countable and uncountable, plural generals)
(military) The holder of a senior military title, originally designating the commander of an army and now a specific rank falling under field marshal (in the British army) and below general of the army or general of the air force in the US army and air forces. [from 16th c.]
A great strategist or tactician. [from 16th c.]
(now rare) A general fact or proposition; a generality. [from 16th c.]
(Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits. [from 16th c.]
(nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral. [16th–18th c.]
(colloquial, now historical) A general servant; a maid with no specific duties. [from 19th c.]
(countable) A general anesthetic.
(uncountable) General anesthesia.
(uncountable, insurance) The general insurance industry.
(xiangqi) A xiangqi piece that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.
Examples
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
My general is sister to your second housemaid.
I work in general.
Related words
hyponyms
brigadier general
colonel general
general of the air force
general of the army
lieutenant general
major general
sergeant major general, sergeant-major general
coordinate terms
(insurance industry): health, life, pensions
verb
general (third-person singular simple present generals, present participle generalling or generaling, simple past and past participle generalled or generaled)
To lead (soldiers) as a general.
adverb
general (not comparable)
(obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.