General

From Anglo-Norman general, generall, Middle French general, and their source, Latin generÄlis, from genus ("class, kind") + -Älis ("-al").

Full definition of general

Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to specific or particular. from 13th c.

c. 1495, John Skelton, "Vppon a deedman's hed":It is generall
To be mortall:
I haue well espyde
No man may hym hyde
From Deth holow eyed ....
1842, Douglas Jerrold, "Mr Peppersorn â€˜At Homeâ€™", Cakes and Ale:"Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.
1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.27: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.
2006, Ruth Sutherland, "Invite public to the private equity party", The Observer, 15 Oct 06: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.

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.

1865, Edward Cust, Lives of the Warriors of the Thirty Years War, p. 527:For these successes he obtained the rank of Field-Marshal General.
2002, James Turner, Libertines and Radicals in Early Modern London, p. 122:He becomes the chief chartered libertine, the whoremaster-general flourishing his "standard" over a female army ....

Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual. from 14th c.

1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, IX:â€˜I can't quite afford you the sympathy you expect upon this score,â€™ I replied; â€˜the misfortune is so general, that it belongs to one half of the species ....â€™
2008, John Patterson, "Home movies", The Guardian, 20 Dec 08: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.

Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category. from 14th c.

1924, Time, 17 Mar 1924:M. Venizelos went to Athens from Paris early last January in response to a general invitation from the Greek populace.
2009, Douglas P Zipes, Saturday Evening Post, vol. 281:1, p. 20: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).

Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite. from 16th c.

1817, Walter Scott, Rob Roy, X:As she thus spoke, the entrance of the servants with dinner cut off all conversation but that of a general nature.
2006, Kevin Nance, "Ghosts of the White City", Chicago Sun-Times, 16 Jul 06: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.
2008, Robert P Maloney, "The Quiet Carpenter", America, vol. 199:19, p. 18:Given the scarcity of relevant historical detail in the New Testament, we are left with only a general outline about Joseph.

Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area. from 16th c.

1941, W Somerset Maugham, Up at the Villa, Vintage 2004, p. 24:There was a moment's pause. The Princess broke in with some casual remark and once more the conversation became general.
1947, "Russian Catechism", Time, 20 Oct 1947: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.
2007, Alan Cheuse, "A Little Death", Southern Review, vol. 43:3, p. 692:His measured, springless walk was the walk of the skilled countryman as distinct from the desultory shamble of the general labourer ....

(plural generals)

Commander of an army.Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
(military ranks) A rank in the army and air force that is higher than colonel or brigadier, and is usually the highest rank group next to commander in chief, except in countries that use the rank of field marshal.
(military ranks) a commissioned rank in the British Army and Royal Marines, above lieutenant general and below field marshal.
(military ranks) a commissioned general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force superior to a lieutenant general. A general is equal in rank or grade to a four star admiral. In the US Army, a general is junior to a general of the army. In the US Marine Corps, a general is the highest rank of commissioned officer. In the US Air Force, a general is junior to a general of the air force.
Short for general anaesthetic or general anaesthesia.

When used as a title, it is always capitalized.

Example: General John Doe.

The rank corresponds to pay grade O-10. Abbreviations: GEN.