1. adjective /ˈdʒɛnɹəl/
a) Including or involving every part or member of a given or implied entity, whole etc.; as opposed to or .
"Among us!" was the general shout, and Peppersorn sat frozen to his chair.
b) 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.
One advantage of having profitable companies in Britain is that they pay large sums in corporate tax into the Exchequer, which in theory at least is used for the general good.
See Also: universal
2. noun /ˈdʒɛnɹəl/
a) Commander of an army.
Hannibal was one of the greatest generals of the ancient world.
b) 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.
Wikipedia foundation.