general Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a general officer of the highest rank
    full general.
  2. noun the head of a religious order or congregation
    superior general.
  3. noun a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)
    • he discussed the general but neglected the particular
  4. verb command as a general
    • We are generaled by an incompetent!
  5. adjective applying to all or most members of a category or group
    • the general public
    • general assistance
    • a general rule
    • in general terms
    • comprehensible to the general reader
  6. adjective satellite not specialized or limited to one class of things
    • general studies
    • general knowledge
  7. adjective satellite prevailing among and common to the general public
    • the general discontent
  8. adjective affecting the entire body
    • a general anesthetic
    • general symptoms
  9. adjective satellite somewhat indefinite
    • bearing a general resemblance to the original
    • a general description of the merchandise
  10. adjective satellite of worldwide scope or applicability
    worldwide; cosmopolitan; universal; ecumenical; oecumenical; world-wide.
    • an issue of cosmopolitan import
    • the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley
    • universal experience

WordNet

Gen"er*al adjective
Etymology
F. général, fr. L. generalis. See Genus.
Definitions
  1. Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
  2. Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
  3. Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
  4. Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.
    This general applause and cheerful sout Argue your wisdom and your love to Richard. Shak.
  5. Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire. Milton.
  6. As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
    His general behavior vain, ridiculous. Shak.
  7. Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method. ✍ The word general, annexed to a name of office, usually denotes chief or superior; as, attorney-general; adjutant general; commissary general; quartermaster general; vicar-general, etc. Syn. General, Common, Universal. Common denotes primarily that in which many share; and hence, that which is often met with. General is stronger, denoting that which pertains to a majority of the individuals which compose a genus, or whole. Universal, that which pertains to all without exception. To be able to read and write is so common an attainment in the United States, that we may pronounce it general, though by no means universal. Gen"er*al n. F. général. See General., a.
  8. The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; -- opposed to particular.
    In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals. Locke.
  9. (Mil.) One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal. ✍ In the United States the office of General of the Army has been created by temporary laws, and has been held only by Generals U. S. Grant, W. T. Sherman, and P. H. Sheridan. = 5-star general. Eisenhower? MacArthur? Pershing? Popularly, the title General is given to various general officers, as General, Lieutenant general, Major general, Brigadier general, Commissary general, etc. See Brigadier general, Lieutenant general, Major general, in the Vocabulary.
  10. (Mil.) The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
  11. (Eccl.) The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
  12. The public; the people; the vulgar. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913