Concerned with, applicable to, or affecting the whole or every member of a class or category: "subduing all her impressions as a woman, to something more general"(Virginia Woolf).
Affecting or characteristic of the majority of those involved; prevalent: general discontent.
Of or affecting the entire body: general paralysis.
Being usually the case; true or applicable in most instances but not all: the general correctness of her decisions.
Not limited in scope, area, or application: as a general rule.
Not limited to or dealing with one class of things; diversified: general studies.
Involving only the main features rather than precise details: a general grasp of the subject.
Highest or superior in rank: the general manager.
n.
Abbr. GEN or Gen or Gen. A commissioned rank in the U.S. Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above lieutenant general.
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
A general officer.
A statement, principle, or fact that embraces or is applicable to the whole.
General anesthesia.
Archaic The public.
[Middle English, from Latin generālis, from genus, gener-, kind; see genə- in Indo-European roots.] gen'er·al·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean belonging to, relating to, or affecting the whole: the general welfare; a common enemy; generic likenesses; universal military conscription.
(jěn'ər-əl) 
