general
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.
Adjective 4 meanings
Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole, etc.; common to all, universal.
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.
Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual.
Not limited in use or application; applicable across a broad range.
Noun 4 meanings
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.”
A great strategist or tactician.
“Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.”
The head of certain religious orders, especially Dominicans or Jesuits.
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.
Verb 1 meaning
To lead (soldiers) as a general.
Etymology
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”).
Similar and opposite words
GENERAL at a glance
GENERAL has 7 letters and scores 8 points in Scrabble (G 2 + E 1 + N 1 + E 1 + R 1 + A 1 + L 1) and 11 in Words With Friends, before board bonuses. It ranks #301 by how often it appears in everyday English. It is valid in ENABLE, NWL2023, Collins/SOWPODS.
Rhymes with general
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