generala.[F. gnral, fr. L. generalis. See Genus.]1. Relating to a genus or kind; pertaining to a whole class or order; as, a general law of animal or vegetable economy.()2. Comprehending many species or individuals; not special or particular; including all particulars; as, a general inference or conclusion.()3. Not restrained or limited to a precise import; not specific; vague; indefinite; lax in signification; as, a loose and general expression.()4. Common to many, or the greatest number; widely spread; prevalent; extensive, though not universal; as, a general opinion; a general custom.()This general applause and cheerful shout
Argue your wisdom and your love to Richard. (Shak.)5. Having a relation to all; common to the whole; as, Adam, our general sire.(Milton.)6. As a whole; in gross; for the most part.()His general behavior vain, ridiculous. (Shak.)7. Usual; common, on most occasions; as, his general habit or method.()()General agent (Law), an agent whom a principal employs to transact all his business of a particular kind, or to act in his affairs generally. -- General assembly. See the Note under Assembly. -- General average, General Court. See under Average, Court. -- General court-martial (Mil.), the highest military and naval judicial tribunal. -- General dealer (Com.), a shopkeeper who deals in all articles in common use. -- General demurrer (Law), a demurrer which objects to a pleading in general terms, as insufficient, without specifying the defects. Abbott. -- General epistle, a canonical epistle. -- General guides (Mil.), two sergeants (called the right, and the left, general guide) posted opposite the right and left flanks of an infantry battalion, to preserve accuracy in marching. Farrow. -- General hospitals (Mil.), hospitals established to receive sick and wounded sent from the field hospitals. Farrow. General issue (Law), an issue made by a general plea, which traverses the whole declaration or indictment at once, without offering any special matter to evade it. Bouvier. Burrill. -- General lien (Law), a right to detain a chattel, etc., until payment is made of any balance due on a general account. -- General officer (Mil.), any officer having a rank above that of colonel. -- General orders (Mil.), orders from headquarters published to the whole command. -- General practitioner, in the United States, one who practices medicine in all its branches without confining himself to any specialty; in England, one who practices both as physician and as surgeon. -- General ship, a ship not chartered or let to particular parties. -- General term (Logic), a term which is the sign of a general conception or notion. -- General verdict (Law), the ordinary comprehensive verdict in civil actions, for the plaintiff or for the defendant. Burrill. -- General warrant (Law), a warrant, now illegal, to apprehend suspected persons, without naming individuals.()()n.[F. gnral. See General., a.]()1. The whole; the total; that which comprehends or relates to all, or the chief part; -- opposed to particular.()In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals. (Locke.)2. (Mil.) 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.()()3. (Mil.) The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.()4. (Eccl.) The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.()5. The public; the people; the vulgar.(Shak.)In general, in the main; for the most part.()