A Quick and Simple Dictionary

general

1. Adjective.  Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to (term, specific) or (term, particular) . (defdate, from 13th c.) .
2. Adjective.  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. (defdate, from 14th c.) .
3. Adjective.  Prevalent or widespread among a given class or area; common, usual. (defdate, from 14th c.) .
4. Adjective.  Not limited in use or application; applicable to the whole or every member of a class or category. (defdate, from 14th c.) .
5. Adjective.  Giving or consisting of only the most important aspects of something, ignoring minor details; indefinite. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
6. Adjective.  Not limited to a specific class; miscellaneous, concerned with all branches of a given subject or area. (defdate, from 16th c.) .
7. Noun.  Commander of an army.
8. Noun.  (military ranks) A rank in the army and air force that is higher than colonel or brigadier, and is usually the highest rank group next to commander in chief, except in countries that use the rank of field marshal.
9. Noun.  (military ranks) a commissioned rank in the British Army and Royal Marines, above lieutenant general and below field marshal.
10. Noun.  (military ranks) a commissioned general officer in the United States Army, Marine Corps, or Air Force superior to a lieutenant general. A general is equal in rank or grade to a four star admiral. In the US Army, a general is junior to a general of the army. In the US Marine Corps, a general is the highest rank of commissioned officer. In the US Air Force, a general is junior to a general of the air force.
11. Noun.  Short for general anaesthetic or general anaesthetia.