General
King James Dictionary [1]
GEN'ERAL, a. L. generalis, from genus, a kind.
1. Properly, relating to a whole genus or kind and hence, relating to a whole class or order. Thus we speak of a general law of the animal or vegetable economy. This word, though from genus, kind, is used to express whatever is common to an order, class, kind, sort or species, or to any company or association of individuals. 2. Comprehending many species or individuals not special or particular as, it is not logical to draw a general inference or conclusion from a particular fact. 3. Lax in signification not restrained or limited to a particular import not specific as a loose and general expression. 4. Public common relating to or comprehending the whole community as the general interest or safety of a nation. 5. Common to many or the greatest number as a general opinion a general custom. 6. Not directed to a single object.
If the same thing be peculiarly evil, that general aversion will be turned into a particular hatred against it.
7. Having a relation to all common to the whole. Adam, our general sire. 8. Extensive, though not universal common usual.
This word is prefixed or annexed to words, to express the extent of their application. Thus a general assembly is an assembly of a whole body, in fact or by representation. In Scotland, it is the whole church convened by its representatives. In America, a legislature is sometimes called a general assembly.
In logic, a general term is a term which is the sign of a general idea.
An attorney general, and a solicitor general, is an officer who conducts suits and prosecutions for the king or for a nation or state, and whose authority is general in the state or kingdom.
A vicar general has authority as vicar or substitute over a whole territory or jurisdiction.
An adjutant general assists the general of an army, distributes orders, receives returns, &c.
The word general thus annexed to a name of office, denotes chief or superior as a commissary general, quarter-master general.
In the line, a general officer is one who commands an army, a division or a brigade.
GEN'ERAL, n. The whole the total that which comprehends all or the chief part opposed to particular.
In particulars our knowledge begins, and so spreads itself by degrees to generals.
A history painter paints man in general.
1. In general, in the main for the most part not always or universally.
I have shown that he excels, in general,under each of these heads.
2. The chief commander of an army. But to distinguish this officer from other generals, he is often called general in chief. The officer second in rank is called lieutenant general. 3. The commander of a division of an army or militia, usually called a major general. 4. The commander of a brigade, called a brigadier general. 5. A particular beat of drum or march, being that which, in the morning, gives notice for the infantry to be in readiness to march. 6. The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations established under the same rule. 7. The public the interest of the whole the vulgar. Not in use.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [2]
General . This adj. means in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] ‘universal,’ as Latimer, Sermons , 182, ‘The promises of God our Saviour are general; they pertain to all mankind.’ So in Hebrews 12:23 , ‘the general assembly’ means the gathering of all without exception. Generally in like manner means ‘universally,’ 2 Samuel 17:11 ‘I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee.’ The subst. ‘general’ is once ( 1 Chronicles 27:34 ) used for Heb. sar , of which the more usual rendering is ‘captain’ (wh. see; cf. Army, § 2 ).
Holman Bible Dictionary [3]
Judges 4:7 1 Chronicles 27:34
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [4]
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
(of religious order), "in the Roman Catholic Church, the supreme head, under the pope, of the aggregated communities throughout Christendom belonging to a religious order. The governing authorities of the monastic orders in the Roman Catholic Church may be arranged in three classes:
(1.) The superiors of individual convents or communities, called in different orders by the various names of abbot, prior, rector, guardian, etc.;
(2.) The provincials, who have authority over all the convents of an entire province — the provinces, in the monastic sense of the word, being usually coincident as to local limits with the several kingdoms is which the order is established;
(3.) The general, to whom not only each member of the order, but all the various officials of every rank, are absolutely subject. The general is usually elected by the general chapter of the order, which, in the majority of orders, consists properly of the provincials, with whom, however, are commonly associated the heads of the more important monasteries, as also the superiors of certain subdivisions of provinces. The office of general in most orders is held for three years. In that of the Jesuits it is for life; but in all, the election of the general chapter must be confirmed by the pope. In most orders, too, there is assigned to the general a consultor (admonitor) or associate (socius), who, however, is entitled to advise, but has no authority to control the superior. The general, also, is supposed to consult with and to receive reports from the various local superiors. He sends, if necessary, a visitor to inquire into particular abuses, or to report upon such controversies as may arise, and he holds a general chapter of the order at stated times, which differ according to the usage of the several orders. The general is exempt from episcopal jurisdiction, being subject to the immediate jurisdiction of the pope himself. He resides in Rome, where he enjoys certain privileges, the most important of which is the right to sit and vote with the bishops in a general council of the Church." — Chambers, Encyclopaedia, s.v.
