̈ɪˈdʒenərəl adj. & n. --adj. 1 a completely or
almost universal. b including or affecting
all or
nearly all parts or cases of things. 2
prevalent,
widespread,
usual. 3
not partial,
particular,
local, or
sectional. 4 not
limited in
application; relating to
whole classes or all cases. 5 including points
common to
the individuals of a
class and neglecting the differences (a general term). 6 not restricted or specialized (general knowledge). 7 a
roughly corresponding or
adequate. b
sufficient for practical purposes. 8 not detailed (a general
resemblance; a general idea). 9
vague,
indefinite (spoke
only in general terms). 10
chief or
principal; having
overall authority (general
manager; Secretary-General). --n. 1 a an
army officer ranking next below Field Marshal or
above lieutenant-general. b US = lieutenant-general, major-general. 2 a
commander of an army. 3 a tactician or strategist of specified
merit (a
great general). 4 the
head of a
religious order, e.g. of the Jesuits or Dominicans or the
Salvation Army. 5 (prec. by the)
archaic the
public. øas a general
rule in
most cases. General
American a
form of US
speech not markedly dialectal or regional. General
Certificate of
Education 1 an
examination set
esp. for secondary-school pupils at advanced
level in England and Wales. 2 the certificate gained by
passing it. General Certificate of
Secondary Education an examination replacing and combining the
GCE ordinary level and
CSE examinations. general
delivery US the delivery of letters to callers at a post
office. general
election the election of representatives to a
legislature (esp. in the UK to the
House of Commons)
from constituencies
throughout the
country. general
headquarters the headquarters of a
military commander. general
meeting a meeting
open to all the members of a
society etc. general of the army (or
air force) US the officer of the highest rank in the army or air force. general
practice the
work of a general
practitioner. general practitioner a
doctor working in the
community and treating cases of all kinds in the
first instance, as
distinct from a
consultant or
specialist. general staff the staff assisting a military commander in planning and
administration. general
strike a strike of workers in all or most trades. General
Synod the highest governing
body in the
Church of England. in general 1 as a
normal rule; usually. 2 for the most
part. øøgeneralness n. [ME f. OF f. L generalis (as GENUS)]