Dictionary

general en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (California) audio
• jĕnʹ(ə)rəl (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Proto-Italic *genos Latin genus, generis Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin generālisbor. Anglo-Norman generalbor. Middle French generalbor. ▲ Latin generālisder. Middle English general English general 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”).

Meanings

1. Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.
   • That each, who seems a separate whole, Should move his rounds, and fusing all The skirts of self again, should fall Remerging in the general Soul, Is faith as vague as all unsweet: […] 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XLVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 69:
   • "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:
   • 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":
   • 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 October 15, Ruth Sutherland, “Invite public to the private equity party”, in The Observer:
2. (postpositional, sometimes) 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.
   • 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:
   • 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:
3. Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
   • 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 December 20, John Patterson, “Home movies”, in The Guardian:
   • ‘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:
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 March 17, 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:
   • 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 October 20, “Russian Catechism”, in Time:
5. Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite.
   • 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:
   • 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:
   • 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:
   • 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 July 16, Kevin Nance, “Ghosts of the White City”, in Chicago Sun-Times:
6. Not of a specific class; miscellaneous.
   • 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:
   • general goods

Forms

Antonyms

singular · discrete · particular · special · uncommon · abnormal · individual · concrete · proper · peculiar · specific · particular · specific

Synonyms

catholic · common · pedestrian · unsingular · common as muck · nonrare · average · general · routine · common as pig tracks · dime a dozen · basic · frequent · common as dirt · usual · catholic · universal · unspecific · regular · ecumenical · unparticular · workaday · general · bog-standard · common as bums · quotidian · everyday · universal · unsingular · two a penny · common · general · usual · nonsingular · common · plain · generic · generic · unspecific · nonspecific · par for the course · nonspecific · unparticular · common · nonsingular · ecumenical · common · habitual · ten a penny · broad · typical · routinary · universal · generic

Translations (179)

sv vanlig (widespread, common) · mi tauwhānui (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · pl ogólny (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sv allmän (widespread, common) · it generale (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · cs obecný (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · bg генера́лен (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ka გენერალური (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ms umum (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · id umum (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · pt generalizado (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · ja 一般的 (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sh náčelan (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · he כְּלָלִי (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · no generell (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ar عَامّ (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ba дөйөм (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · ar عَامّ (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ru о́бщий (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · he כללי (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · bg генерален (of a person: pre-eminent) · ba дөйөм (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · hu általános (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · cmn 普通 (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · fr général (widespread, common) · be агу́льны (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ba дөйөм (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · lv vispārējs (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka ზოგადი (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ms am (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · nl algemeen (widespread, common) · ro comun (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · da almen (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · nl wijdverspreid (widespread, common) · sv allmän (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · el γενικός (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · mk општ (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · he כְּלָלִית (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · nl algemeen (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · fi yleis- (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ru всео́бщий (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · eo ĝenerala (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · no allminnelig (widespread, common) · cs obecný (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · he כללי (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · sh опћѐнит (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · io generala (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · bg общ (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · no generell (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · hi सामान्य (widespread, common) · no allmenn (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · he כללי (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ast xeneral (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · la generālis (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · be генера́льны (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · uk генера́льний (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ms umum (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ja 全般 (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ca general (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · el γενικός (of a person: pre-eminent) · tl heneral (of a person: pre-eminent) · el γενικός (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · bg главен (of a person: pre-eminent) · vo valemik (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sh općènit (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sk všeobecný (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sv allmän (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · sw jumla (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · de allgemein (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ru генера́льный (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · bg гла́вен (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · de generell (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka გავრცელებული (widespread, common) · mi matawhānui (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ca general (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · id menyeluruh (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · pt geral (widespread, common) · fr universal (widespread, common) · mi whānui (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · et üldine (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · lv vispārīgs (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · hi साधारण (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · nl algemeen (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · fr général (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ja 普通 (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · id menyeluruh (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · tl pangkalahatán (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · hu fő- (of a person: pre-eminent) · el γενικός (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · da generel (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · mr साधारण (widespread, common) · uk зага́льний (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · hi सामान्य (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · br hollek (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sv allmän (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · fr général (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · cmn 通用 (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · pt general (of a person: pre-eminent) · cmn 普遍 (widespread, common) · bho साधारण (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · fr général (of a person: pre-eminent) · mk општ (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ar عُمُومِيّ (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sl splošen (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · el γενικός (widespread, common) · da almindelig (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka გენერალური (of a person: pre-eminent) · mi ahuwhānui (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · hy ընդհանուր (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · cmn 普通 (widespread, common) · sq përgjithshëm (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · he נפוץ (widespread, common) · sh svȅopćī (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · lt bendras (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · bg всео́бщ (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · be агу́льны (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · fr d'ensemble (consisting of only the most important aspects; indefinite) · cs všeobecný (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · uk зага́льний (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · id umum (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ext heneral (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · pt geral (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ms awam (of a person: pre-eminent) · sl splošen (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ang ġemǣne (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · zza deg (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sv generell (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · de allgemein (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · ru о́бщий (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka ზოგადი (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · fi yleinen (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · cmn 一般 (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · da generel (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · fr communal (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · el γενικός (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sh свеобу̀хватан (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · bg разпространен (widespread, common) · uk генера́льний (of a person: pre-eminent) · fr général (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · cmn 總 /总 (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · la generālis (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sh ȍpćī (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · nl algemeen (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sw majenerali (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · mr साधारण (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · cmn 一般 (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · id umum (widespread, common) · es general (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · gl xeral (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · fr en chef (of a person: pre-eminent) · cmn 通常 (widespread, common) · ms am (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · be генэра́льны (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sh на́челан (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · mi tukipū (widespread, common) · mi arowhānui (widespread, common) · pt geral (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · id umum (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · bg общ (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · ja 一般 (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · sk všeobecný (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · mk генера́лен (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · eo ĝenerala (widespread, common) · ro general (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka ზოგადი (widespread, common) · ka საერთო (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · zza degme (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ka მნიშვნელოვანი (of a person: pre-eminent) · cmn 普通 (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · no vanlig (widespread, common) · sh sveobùhvatan (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · bg обикновен (widespread, common) · sv generell (widespread, common) · sh све̏опћӣ (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · id umum (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category) · sv generell (involving every part or member, not specific or particular) · ru о́бщий (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · my အထွေထွေ (miscellaneous, not limited to a specific class) · sh о̏пћӣ (not limited in application; applicable to a whole class or category)

general en · ADV

Pronunciation

• /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (California) audio
• jĕnʹ(ə)rəl (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Proto-Italic *genos Latin genus, generis Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin generālisbor. Anglo-Norman generalbor. Middle French generalbor. ▲ Latin generālisder. Middle English general English general 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”).

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, obsolete) In a general or collective manner or sense; in most cases; upon the whole.

Forms

Deriveds

general state (terms derived from all parts of speech) · paper general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · buck general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · commandant-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · wagonmaster general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · vicar general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general insurer (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general court-martial (terms derived from all parts of speech) · superior general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general line (terms derived from all parts of speech) · farmer-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generally (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general pause (terms derived from all parts of speech) · floor general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · procurator-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general partnership (terms derived from all parts of speech) · consulate general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · sergeant major general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general cargo (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Schedule (terms derived from all parts of speech) · agent general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · surgeon general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · quartermaster general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · accountant general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · captain general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · commanding general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general store (terms derived from all parts of speech) · nongeneral (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generaless (terms derived from all parts of speech) · commissary general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general classification (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general contractor (terms derived from all parts of speech) · major-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general officer (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalize (terms derived from all parts of speech) · out-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · governor general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general paralysis (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general counsel (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Zionism (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general headquarters (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Trias (terms derived from all parts of speech) · overgeneral (terms derived from all parts of speech) · secretary-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general strike (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general ledger (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general goods (terms derived from all parts of speech) · abbot general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalistic (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalness (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalist (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general practitioner (terms derived from all parts of speech) · ungeneralled (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general delivery (terms derived from all parts of speech) · adjutant general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general continued fraction (terms derived from all parts of speech) · witchfinder general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general education (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general anaesthesia (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general issue (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general hospital (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general population (terms derived from all parts of speech) · consul-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalcy (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general paresis (terms derived from all parts of speech) · sergeant-major general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general quarters (terms derived from all parts of speech) · adjutant-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · advocate general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · vicar-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general paresis of the insane (terms derived from all parts of speech) · receiver-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general retainer (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalise (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general public (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general secretary (terms derived from all parts of speech) · surveyor general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalship (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generality (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general office (terms derived from all parts of speech) · governess-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · heir general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general anaesthetic (terms derived from all parts of speech) · postmaster general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general knowledge (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general aviation (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general paralysis of the insane (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general formula (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general intelligent action (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Mariano Alvarez (terms derived from all parts of speech) · annual general meeting (terms derived from all parts of speech) · dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general studies (terms derived from all parts of speech) · chaplain general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · surgeon-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general management (terms derived from all parts of speech) · major general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general creditor (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general-purpose (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general election (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general staff (terms derived from all parts of speech) · registrar-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Malvar (terms derived from all parts of speech) · secretary general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · consul general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general atonement (terms derived from all parts of speech) · resident-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general assembly (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general semantics (terms derived from all parts of speech) · extraordinary general meeting (terms derived from all parts of speech) · combat general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalization (terms derived from all parts of speech) · generalisation (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general-in-chief (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general of aviation (terms derived from all parts of speech) · bond for general purposes (terms derived from all parts of speech) · outgeneral (terms derived from all parts of speech) · General Esco (terms derived from all parts of speech) · gold general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · governor-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general relativity (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general practice (terms derived from all parts of speech) · director-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · attorney-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · inspector general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · attorney general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · caviar to the general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · in general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general surgery (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general equilibrium (terms derived from all parts of speech) · silver general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general warrant (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general superior (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general linear group (terms derived from all parts of speech) · colonel general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · government-general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · director general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · undergeneral (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general manager (terms derived from all parts of speech) · brigadier general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general direction (terms derived from all parts of speech) · general availability (terms derived from all parts of speech) · lieutenant general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · solicitor general (terms derived from all parts of speech) · artificial general intelligence (terms derived from all parts of speech)

general en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (California) audio
• jĕnʹ(ə)rəl (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Proto-Italic *genos Latin genus, generis Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin generālisbor. Anglo-Norman generalbor. Middle French generalbor. ▲ Latin generālisder. Middle English general English general 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”).

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) 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.
   • General Eisenhower was the first SACEUR.
2. (countable, uncountable) A great strategist or tactician.
   • Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
3. (archaic, countable, uncountable) A general fact or proposition; a generality.
   • We have dealt with the generals; now let us turn to the particulars.
4. (countable, uncountable) The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
5. (countable, uncountable) The equivalent of a king in Chinese chess, the xiangqi piece that is confined to the palace, moves orthogonally one point at a time, and whose loss decides the game.
6. (countable, obsolete, uncountable) Synonym of admiral, a senior naval title, a great naval strategist or tactician.
7. (abbreviation, alt-of, colloquial, countable, historical, uncountable) Short for general servant, a maid-of-all-work, a servant able to be assigned to any task in a household.
   alt of general servant
   • My general is sister to your second housemaid. 1918 March, Rebecca West [pseudonym; Cicily Isabel Fairfield], chapter I, in The Return of the Soldier, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., published 1918, →OCLC, page 18:
   • Then the servants left and there was only one, a General. A great deal of your comfort and happiness depends on having a good General. 1899, E. Nesbit, The Story of the Treasure Seekers:
8. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable) Short for general election, a regular election for most offices in a region or country.
   alt of general election
   • Sure, this candidate is the favorite in the primary among the party faithful, but how is he going to do in the general?
9. (abbreviation, alt-of, countable) Short for general anesthetic, a substance used to numb most feeling throughout the body.
   alt of general anesthetic
10. (abbreviation, alt-of, uncountable) Short for general anesthesia, the category of substances used to numb most feeling throughout the body or an instance of such substances.
    alt of general anesthesia
11. (abbreviation, alt-of, uncountable) Short for general insurance, the area of the insurance industry dealing with policies for the general public.
    alt of general insurance
    • I work in general.

Forms

Coordinates

life (insurance industry) · pensions (insurance industry) · health (insurance industry)

Deriveds

General Lagos

Hyponyms

sergeant major general · sergeant-major general · colonel general · brigadier general · lieutenant general · general of the air force · major general · general of the army · general of aviation

Relateds

hetman

Synonyms

admiral

Translations (109)

hi सेनाध्यक्ष (military rank) · km នាយឧត្តមសេនីយ៍ (military rank) · it generale (military rank) · de General (military rank) · ar جِنِرال (military rank) · ka გენერალი (military rank) · sq gjeneral (military rank) · af generaal (military rank) · mk генера́л (military rank) · pt general (military rank) · sk generál (military rank) · sv härförare (military rank) · lt generolas (military rank) · lv ģenerālis (military rank) · sv general (military rank) · my ဗိုလ်ချုပ်ကြီး (military rank) · et kindral (military rank) · ko 장군 (military rank) · uz general (military rank) · az سرتیب (military rank) · fr général d'armée (military rank) · yi גענעראַלשע (military rank) · mr सेनापती (military rank) · ms jeneral (military rank) · tg генерал (military rank) · krc инарал (military rank) · eo generalo (military rank) · km ផ្កាយ (military rank) · es general (military rank) · cmn 將帥 /将帅 (military rank) · be палкаво́дзец (military rank) · tr general (military rank) · km មេទ័ព (military rank) · cmn 將軍 /将军 (military rank) · be ваенача́льнік (military rank) · hy գեներալ (military rank) · tl heneral (military rank) · otk 𐰾𐰭𐰇𐰤 (military rank) · ky генерал (military rank) · ja 将軍 (military rank) · zza general (military rank) · bg генера́л (military rank) · pl generał (military rank) · uk полково́дець (military rank) · uk воєнача́льник (military rank) · nn general (military rank) · da general (military rank) · ru генера́л (military rank) · tk general (military rank) · ang heretoga (military rank) · fi kenraali (military rank) · fa ژنرال (military rank) · sah ньадыраал (military rank) · az general (military rank) · lo ພົນເອກ (military rank) · be генэра́л (military rank) · mn генерал (military rank) · egy m:r-mSa-Z3 (military rank) · ko 대장 (military rank) · sh ђенѐра̄л (military rank) · la dux (military rank) · gl xeneral (military rank) · grc στρόταγος (military rank) · ru полково́дец (military rank) · el στρατηγός (military rank) · hy զորավար (military rank) · ja 大将 (military rank) · hi सेनापति (military rank) · es serasquier (military rank) · ca general (military rank) · he גֶּנֶרָל (military rank) · mr जनरल (military rank) · km សេនាឯក (military rank) · vi tướng quân (military rank) · nl generaal (military rank) · jv jendral (military rank) · ro general (military rank) · la imperator (military rank) · th พลเอก (military rank) · ru военача́льник (military rank) · sl general (military rank) · uk генера́л (military rank) · hu tábornok (military rank) · be генера́л (military rank) · yi גענעראַל (military rank) · vi tướng (military rank) · km ឧត្តមសេនីយ (military rank) · arz لواء (military rank) · ota پاشا (military rank) · km នាយឧត្តមនាវី (military rank) · ks جَرنٲل (military rank) · ar فريق أوّل (military rank) · km ព្រះពលទេពសេនាបតី (military rank) · fr général (military rank) · id jenderal (military rank) · el πτέραρχος (military rank) · sh đenèrāl (military rank) · nb general (military rank) · az sərtib (military rank) · kk генерал (military rank) · fo generalur (military rank) · mi tianara (military rank) · uum yeral (military rank) · cs generál (military rank) · is hershöfðingi (military rank) · grc στρατηγός (military rank) · bo དམག་སྤྱི (military rank) · hu generális (military rank) · sw jenerali (military rank)

general en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• (California) audio
• jĕnʹ(ə)rəl (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹəl/ (Canada, General-American, Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *ǵénh₁os Proto-Italic *genos Latin genus, generis Proto-Indo-European *h₂el- Proto-Indo-European *-is Proto-Indo-European *h₂élisder.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Latin generālisbor. Anglo-Norman generalbor. Middle French generalbor. ▲ Latin generālisder. Middle English general English general 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”).

Meanings

1. To lead (soldiers) as a general.
   • Generalled by Mrs. Hauksbee, who, again, had all Mrs. Mallowe's wisdom at her disposal, proud of himself and, in the end, believing in himself because he was believed in, Otis Yeere stood ready for any fortune that might befall, certain that it would be good. 1889, Rudyard Kipling, “The Education of Otis Yeere”, in Under the Deodars, Boston: The Greenock Press, published 1899, page 38:

Forms