Definition of general:

• The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; -- opposed to particular.
• Pertaining to, or designating, the genus or class, as distinguished fromthat which characterizes the spccics or individual. Universal, not particularized; as opposedto special. Principal or central; as opposed to local. Open or available to all, asopposed to select. Obtaining commonly, or recognized universally; as opposed to particular.Universal or unbounded; as opposed to limited. Comprehending the whole, ordirected to the whole; as distinguished from anything applying to or designed for a portion only.As a noun, the word is the title of a principal officer in the army, usually one whocommands a whole army, division, corps, or brigade. In the United States army, therank of " general'' is the highest possible, next to the commander in chief, and is onlyoccasionally created. The officers next in rank are lieutenant general, major general,and brigadier general.
• The whole; the commander of an army division or brigade.
• The whole or chief part: an officer who is head over a whole department: a military officer who commands a body of men not less than a brigade: the chief commander of an army in service: in the R. C. Church, the head of a religious order, responsible only to the Pope.
• Officer commanding not less than a brigade; chief commander of an army.
• An officer who commands any body of troops not less than a brigade.
• A general principle, statement, or notion; totality.
• The whole; the chief part; the commander of an army; also the second in rank, or lieutenant- general, the commander of a division, or major- general, and the commander of a brigade, or brigadier- general- all general officers being above the rank of colonel; particular beat of drum or march, which, in the morning, gives notice for the infantry to be in readiness to march; the chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule. A general term, a term denoting a whole class. In general, in the main; for most part.
• The whole; the total; the chief commander of an army; the commander of a division.
• Generally.
• prevailing among and common to the general public; " the general discontent"
• not specialized or limited to one class of things; " general studies"; " general knowledge"
• applying to all or most members of a category or group; " the general public"; " general assistance"; " a general rule"; " in general terms"; " comprehensible to the general reader"
• of national scope; " a general election"
• ( medicine) affecting the entire body; " a general anesthetic"; " general symptoms"
• somewhat indefinite; " bearing a general resemblance to the original"; " a general description of the merchandise"
• a general officer of the highest rank
• the head of a religious order or congregation
• Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.
• Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.
• Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.
• Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.
• Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.
• As a whole; in gross; for the most part.
• Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.
• 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.
• The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.
• The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.
• The public; the people; the vulgar.
• The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; - opposed to particular.
• Relating to a whole genus, kind, class, order, or race; not special or particular; pertaining to the majority; usual; ordinary; extensive but not universal; indefinite; senior or highest; as, Postmaster- General.
• Relating to a genus or whole class: including many species: not special: not restricted: common: prevalent r public: loose: vague.
• Common; prevalent; public; vague.
• Pertaining to a genus; relating to all of a class.
• Large; sweeping; indefinite.
• Common; customary; wide- spread.
• Viewed as a whole.
• Relating to a whole class; comprehending many species; not special; not restricted to a particular import, or not specific; common; not directed to a single object; vague; usual.
• Relating to a whole class or order; not special or particular; public; common; extensive; usual.

Usage examples for general

1. Who are they, general?"  NAPOLEON AND BLUCHER by L. Muhlbach

2. " Thank'ee sir," was the general cry.  John Halifax, Gentleman by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

3. It's a general fight.  The Heritage of the Hills by Arthur P. Hankins

4. " You can tell it all in your own way," said General Garwood.  Free Joe and Other Georgian Sketches by Joel Chandler Harris