Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
General
1.
Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order;
as, a
. general
law of animal or vegetable economy2.
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars;
as, a
. general
inference or conclusion3.
Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification;
as, a loose and
. general
expression4.
Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal;
as, a
general
opinion; a general
custom.This
Argue your wisdom and your love to Richard.
general
applause and cheerful shoutArgue your wisdom and your love to Richard.
Shakespeare
5.
Having a relation to all; common to the whole;
as, Adam, our
. general
sireMilton.
6.
As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
His
general
behavior vain, ridiculous. Shakespeare
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.
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.
1.
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.
2.
(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. 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. 3.
(Mil.)
The roll of the drum which calls the troops together;
as, to beat the
. general
4.
(Eccl.)
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
5.
The public; the people; the vulgar.
[Obs.]
Shak.
In general
, in the main; for the most part.
Webster 1828 Edition
General
GEN'ERAL
,Adj.
1.
Properly, relating to a whole genus or kind; and hence, relating to a whole class or order. Thus we speak of a general law of the animal or vegetable economy. This word, though from genus, kind, is used to express whatever is common to an order, class, kind, sort or species, or to any company or association of individuals.2.
Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; as, it is not logical to draw a general inference or conclusion from a particular fact.3.
Lax in signification; not restrained or limited to a particular import; not specific; as a loose and general expression.4.
Public; common; relating to or comprehending the whole community; as the general interest or safety of a nation.5.
Common to many or the greatest number; as a general opinion; a general custom.6.
Not directed to a single object. If the same thing be peculiarly evil, that general aversion will be turned into a particular hatred against it.
7.
Having a relation to all; common to the whole. Adam, our general sire.8.
Extensive, though not universal; common; usual.This word is prefixed or annexed to words, to express the extent of their application. Thus a general assembly is an assembly of a whole body, in fact or by representation. In Scotland, it is the whole church convened by its representatives. In America, a legislature is sometimes called a general assembly.
In logic, a general term is a term which is the sign of a general idea.
An attorney general, and a solicitor general, is an officer who conducts suits and prosecutions for the king or for a nation or state, and whose authority is general in the state or kingdom.
A vicar general has authority as vicar or substitute over a whole territory or jurisdiction.
An adjutant general assists the general of an army, distributes orders, receives returns, &c.
The word general thus annexed to a name of office, denotes chief or superior; as a commissary general, quarter-master general.
In the line, a general officer is one who commands an army, a division or a brigade.
GEN'ERAL
,Noun.
In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals.
A history painter paints man in general.
1.
In general, in the main; for the most part; not always or universally. I have shown that he excels, in general,under each of these heads.
2.
The chief commander of an army. But to distinguish this officer from other generals, he is often called general in chief. The officer second in rank is called lieutenant general.3.
The commander of a division of an army or militia, usually called a major general.4.
The commander of a brigade, called a brigadier general.5.
A particular beat of drum or march, being that which, in the morning, gives notice for the infantry to be in readiness to march.6.
The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations established under the same rule.7.
The public; the interest of the whole; the vulgar. [Not in use.]