1. of, pertaining to, or affecting all persons or things belonging to a group, category, or system: a general meeting of members; a general amnesty. 2. of, pertaining to, or true of such persons or things in the main; common to most; usual: the general mood of the people.
General comes from the French word générale, which means "common to all people," but we use it for more than just people. You might inquire about the general habits of schoolchildren, or the general temperature at night in the desert.
There are 37 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word general, nine of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Discover everything about the word "GENERAL" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide.
considering or dealing with overall characteristics, universal aspects, or important elements, esp. without considering all details or specific aspects: general instructions; a general description; a general resemblance one to another.
General of the Army (abbreviated as GA) [1]: 3 is a five-star general officer rank in the United States Army. It is generally equivalent to the rank of field marshal in other countries.
General of the Army (abbreviated as GA) [1]: 3 is a five-star general officer rank in the United States Army. It is generally equivalent to the rank of field marshal in other countries.