General Definition
jĕnər-əl
generals
adjective
Of, for, or from the whole or all; not particular or local.
A general anesthetic, the general welfare.
Webster's New World
Of, for, or applying to a whole genus, kind, class, order, or race.
The general classifications of matter.
Webster's New World
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent.
General discontent.
American Heritage
Of or affecting the entire body.
General paralysis.
American Heritage
Existing or occurring extensively; common; widespread.
A general unrest.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
noun
generals
The main or overall fact, condition, idea, etc.
Webster's New World
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
American Heritage
The head of some religious orders.
Webster's New World
Any of various military officers ranking above a colonel.
Webster's New World
A general officer.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
idiom
in general
- Generally.
American Heritage
in general
- in the main; usually
- without specific details
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of General
Noun
Singular:
general
Plural:
generalsIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to General
Origin of General
-
From Anglo-Norman general, generall, Middle French general, and their source, Latin generālis, from genus (“class, kind”) + -ālis (“-al”).
From Wiktionary
-
Middle English from Latin generālis from genus gener- kind genə- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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