gen·er·al (j?n??r-?l)adj.1. Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category: “subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general” (Virginia Woolf).2. Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent: general discontent.3. Of or affecting the entire body: general paralysis.4. Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all: the general correctness of her decisions.5. a. Not limited in scope, area, or application: as a general rule.b. Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified: general studies.6. Involving only the main features rather than precise details: a general grasp of the subject.7. Highest or superior in rank: the general manager.n.1. a. A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.b. One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.2. A general officer.3. A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.4. General anesthesia.5. Archaic The public.Idiom: in general Generally.[Middle English, from Latin gener?lis, from genus, gener-, kind; see gen?- in Indo-European roots.]gen?er·al·ness n.Synonyms: general, common, universal These adjectives mean belonging to, relating to, or affecting the whole: the general welfare; a common enemy; universal military conscription.Antonym: particularAmerican Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.general (?d??n?r?l; ?d??nr?l) adj1. common; widespread: a general feeling of horror at the crime. 2. of, including, applying to, or participated in by all or most of the members of a group, category, or community3. relating to various branches of an activity, profession, etc; not specialized: general office work. 4. including various or miscellaneous items: general knowledge; a general store. 5. not specific as to detail; overall: a general description of the merchandise. 6. not definite; vague: give me a general idea of when you will finish. 7. applicable or true in most cases; usual8. (prenominal or immediately postpositive) having superior or extended authority or rank: general manager; consul general. 9. (Education) Also: pass designating a degree awarded at some universities, studied at a lower academic standard than an honours degree. See honours210. (Medicine) med relating to or involving the entire body or many of its parts; systemic11. (Logic) logic (of a statement) not specifying an individual subject but quantifying over a domainn12. (Military) an officer of a rank senior to lieutenant general, esp one who commands a large military formation13. any person acting as a leader and applying strategy or tactics14. a general condition or principle: opposed to particular15. (Ecclesiastical Terms) a title for the head of a religious order, congregation, etc16. (Medicine) med short for general anaesthetic17. archaic the people; public18. in general generally; mostly or usually[C13: from Latin gener?lis of a particular kind, from genus kind] ?generalness nCollins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014gen?er?al (?d??n ?r ?l) adj. 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. 3. not limited to one class, field, product, service, etc.; miscellaneous: the general public. 4. considering or dealing with broad or important aspects, elements, etc.; not detailed: general guidelines; a general description. 5. not specific; approximate: a general idea of what was going on. 6. affecting the entire body: general paralysis. 7. (of anesthesia or an anesthetic) causing loss of consciousness and abolishing sensitivity to pain throughout the body. 8. having extended command or superior or chief rank: the secretary general of the U.N. n. 9. a. an army or air force officer ranking above a lieutenant general and below a general of the army or general of the air force. b. an army officer of any of the five highest ranks: brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, general, or general of the army. c. an officer holding the highest rank in the U.S. Marine Corps. 10. the chief official of a religious order. 11. something that is general; generality. 12. Archaic. the general public. Idioms: in general, a. with respect to the entirety; as a whole: to like people in general. b. as a rule; usually: In general, the bus is on time. [1250?1300;