I. ˈjen(ə)rəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin generalis, from gener-, genus birth, race, class, kind + -alis -al — more at kin
1. : involving or belonging to the whole of a body, group, class, or type : applicable or relevant to the whole rather than to a limited part, group, or section
appearance of general decay
a general change in temperature
2. : involving or belonging to every member of a class, kind, or group : applicable to every one in the unit referred to : not exclusive or excluding
ladies, a general welcome from his grace salutes ye all — Shakespeare
those first assemblies were general , with all freemen bound to attend — American Guide Series: Maryland
3.
a. : applicable or pertinent to the majority of individuals involved : characteristic of the majority : prevalent , usual , widespread
the general opinion
a custom general in these areas
the conflict became general
we, the people of the United States, in order to … promote the general welfare — U.S. Constitution
b. : concerned or dealing with universal rather than particular aspects
general history
4. : marked by broad overall character without being limited, modified, or checked by narrow precise considerations : concerned with main elements, major matters rather than limited details, or universals rather than particulars : approximate rather than strictly accurate
a general outline
bearing a general resemblance to the original
the rock formations of the state have a general northeast-southwest trend — American Guide Series: New Hampshire
5. : not confined by specialization or careful limitation : not limited to a particular class, type, or field : inclusive and manifesting or characterized by scope, diversity, or variety : broad , catholic , comprehensive
a general drugstore
a general surgeon
6. : belonging to the common nature (as of a group of like individuals) : generic
the general characteristics of a species
long shaggy hair is general among bears
7. : holding superior rank : taking precedence (as over others similarly titled)
general mananger
: having wide authority or responsibility
a general captain
the general board
— sometimes used postpositively
the master general
8. : designed for students without special ability or vocational plans
a general course in science
— compare college-preparatory , commercial
9. : of or relating to a universal term or proposition or a quantified statement in logic — opposed to singular
10. : involving or affecting practically the entire organism : not local
general nervousness
Synonyms: see universal
II. noun
( -s )
1. archaic : whole , total
2.
a. : something (as a concept, fact, idea, principle, proposition, or statement) that comprehends the whole or total
a description that spends too much time on the general and too little on the particular
specifically : generality
b. : genus , universal
3.
a. archaic : the general public : people
b. Britain : a servant for general work
4.
[Medieval Latin generalis, from Latin generalis, adjective (in such phrases as abbas generalis, literally, general abbot)]
: the chief of a religious order of all houses or congregations under one religious rule ; specifically : superior general
5.
[Middle French, from Old Italian generale (also, chief of a religious order), from Medieval Latin generalis ]
archaic : the commander in chief of an army
6.
a. : a military officer of high rank — see brigadier general , general of the air force , general of the army , lieutenant general , major general
b. : a military officer who is junior only to a general of the army, to a general of the air force, or to a field marshal, wears 4 stars, and ranks with a four-star admiral of the navy
7. : the supreme commander of the Salvation Army — compare salvationist
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- in general