general

Everyday

1. General means about most people or things, not one in particular: «a general rule». tree →
2. General means not detailed, giving the main idea: «a general idea». tree →
3. General means for everyone or everything: «general knowledge». tree →
4. A general is a very high-ranking officer in an army. tree →

In the lessons

In school, «general knowledge» quizzes test facts about many topics; in maths a «general rule» works for all numbers, like «add two odd numbers and you get an even number». In writing, you start with a general idea, then give details. In history stories generals lead armies. Phrases: «in general» (usually; overall), «general knowledge», «general rule», «as a general rule», «general election», «the general public».

Examples

• In general, cats sleep a lot. tree →
• Can you give me a general idea of the story? tree →
• We had a general knowledge quiz. tree →
• As a general rule, wash your hands before eating. tree →
• Find a general rule for the number pattern. tree →
• The general led his army into battle. tree →
• The park is open to the general public. tree →
• The general mood in class was happy. tree →
• "I am astonished also!" said the General. tree →

Note

Adverb: generally. «In general» = usually or as a whole. «General» (broad, overall) is the opposite of «specific» or «particular». As a title it has a capital letter: General Grant.

In Jewish tradition

In school, «general knowledge» quizzes test facts about many topics; in maths a «general rule» works for all numbers, like «add two odd numbers and you get an even number». In writing, you start with a general idea, then give details. In history stories generals lead armies. Phrases: «in general» (usually; overall), «general knowledge», «general rule», «as a general rule», «general election», «the general public».

Examples

• A separate consideration of the several parts should follow this general grasp of the subject, else much confusion may result. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• I base it off an interpretation of the SY’s internal structure, the semantic properties of the root ספ״ר SPR, and the SY’s general grammatical inventiveness. (Sefer Yetzirah, Sefaria community translation) tree →
• Waldon Carr, The General Principles of Relativity 1920, p. 152). (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Adverb: generally. «In general» = usually or as a whole. «General» (broad, overall) is the opposite of «specific» or «particular». As a title it has a capital letter: General Grant.