WordWeb Online

1. 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"
    
2. Not specialized or limited to one class of things
   "general studies"; "general knowledge"
    
3. Prevailing among and common to the general public
   "the general discontent"
    
4. Somewhat indefinite
   "bearing a general resemblance to the original"; "a general description of the merchandise"
    
5. Of worldwide scope or applicability
   "an issue of general import";
   - cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical [archaic], universal, worldwide, world-wide, global
    
6. (medicine) affecting the entire body
   "a general anaesthetic"; "general symptoms"

1. (military) a general officer of the highest rank
   - full general
    
2. The head of a religious order or congregation
   - superior general
    
3. A fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)
   "he discussed the general but neglected the particular"

1. Command as a general

Derived forms: generaling, generalled, generals, generalling, generaled

See also: all-purpose, broad, common, comprehensive, generality, general-purpose, generic, gross, imprecise, indiscriminate, overall, pandemic, systemic, undiversified, universal, unspecialised [Brit], unspecialized, unspecific, widespread

Type of: chief, command, fact, general officer, head, top dog [informal]

Antonym: local, specific

Encyclopedia: General, Municipal and Boilermakers' Union