general

Etymology

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.

adj

1. Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular.
   It is generall / To be mortall: / I haue well espyde / No man may hym hyde / From Deth holow eyed […]. c. 1495, John Skelton, "Vppon a deedman's hed"
   "Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair. 1842, Douglas Jerrold, “Mr Peppersorn ‘At Home’”, in Cakes and Ale
   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. 1946, Bertrand Russell, “Stoicism”, in History of Western Philosophy, book 1, part 3
   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. 2006-10-15, Ruth Sutherland, “Invite public to the private equity party”, in The Observer
2. (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.
   For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General. 1865, Edward Cust, Lives of the Warriors of the Thirty Years War, page 527
   He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army […]. 2002, James Turner, Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London, page 122
3. Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
   ‘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 […].’ 1817, Sir Walter Scott, chapter IX, in Rob Roy
   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. 2008-12-20, John Patterson, “Home movies”, in The Guardian
4. Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.
   M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace. 1924-03-17, Time
   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. 1947-10-20, “Russian Catechism”, in Time
   Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a general term indicating a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) coming from the top chambers of the heart - in essence, above (supra) the lower chamber (ventricular). 2009, Douglas P. Zipes, Saturday Evening Post, volume 281, number 1, page 20
5. Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
   As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature. 1817, Sir Walter Scott, chapter X, in Rob Roy
   There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general. 1941, W Somerset Maugham, Up at the Villa, Vintage, published 2004, page 24
   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. 2006-07-16, Kevin Nance, “Ghosts of the White City”, in Chicago Sun-Times
   Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph. 2008, Robert P. Maloney, “The Quiet Carpenter”, in America, volume 199, number 19, page 18
6. Not of a specific class; miscellaneous.
   general goods
   His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer […]. 2007, Alan Cheuse, “A Little Death”, in Southern Review, volume 43, number 3, page 692

noun

1. (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.
2. A great strategist or tactician.
   Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
3. (now rare) A general fact or proposition; a generality.
   We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
4. (Christianity) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
5. (nautical) A commander of naval forces; an admiral.
6. (colloquial, now historical) A general servant; a maid with no specific duties.
7. (countable) A general anesthetic.
8. (uncountable) General anesthesia.
9. (uncountable, insurance) The general insurance industry.
   I work in general.
10. (xiangqi) A xiangqi piece that is moved one point orthogonally and confined within the palace.

verb

1. To lead (soldiers) as a general.

adv

1. (obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.