general general /ˈdʒɛnrəl/

adjective

1. () Applying to all or most members of a category or group  ( general )
   applying to all or most members of a category or group
    The general public
   the general public
    General assistance
   general assistance
    A general rule
   a general rule
    In general terms
   in general terms
    Comprehensible to the general reader
   comprehensible to the general reader
   
2. () Not specialized or limited to one class of things  ( general )
   not specialized or limited to one class of things
    General studies
   general studies
    General knowledge
   general knowledge
   
3. () Prevailing among and common to the general public  ( general )
   prevailing among and common to the general public
    The general discontent
   the general discontent
   
4. Of worldwide scope or applicability  ( cosmopolitan , ecumenical , general , oecumenical [Archaic] , universal , world-wide , worldwide )
   of worldwide scope or applicability
    An issue of cosmopolitan import
   an issue of cosmopolitan import
    The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
   the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
    Universal experience
   universal experience
   
5. (medicine) affecting the entire body  ( general )
   (medicine) affecting the entire body
    A general anesthetic
   a general anesthetic
    General symptoms
   general symptoms
   
6. Somewhat indefinite  ( general )
   somewhat indefinite
    Bearing a general resemblance to the original
   bearing a general resemblance to the original
    A general description of the merchandise
   a general description of the merchandise
   

noun

1. () (military) a general officer of the highest rank  ( full general , general )
   (military) a general officer of the highest rank
     The general devised a strategic plan to defeat the enemy forces.
   The general devised a strategic plan to defeat the enemy forces.
   
   
2. A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)  ( general )
   a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)
    He discussed the general but neglected the particular
   he discussed the general but neglected the particular
   
3. The head of a religious order or congregation  ( general , superior general )
   the head of a religious order or congregation
   

verb

1. () Command as a general  ( general )
   command as a general
    We are generaled by an incompetent!
   We are generaled by an incompetent!