Generality

Generality
Generality Gen`er*al"i*ty, n.; pl. {Generalities}. [L. generalitas: cf. F. g['e]n['e]ralit['e]. Cf. {Generalty}.] [1913 Webster] 1. The state of being general; the quality of including species or particulars. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]

2. That which is general; that which lacks specificalness, practicalness, or application; a general or vague statement or phrase. [1913 Webster]

Let us descend from generalities to particulars. --Landor. [1913 Webster]

The glittering and sounding generalities of natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence. --R. Choate. [1913 Webster]

3. The main body; the bulk; the greatest part; as, the generality of a nation, or of mankind. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • generality — c.1400, from O.Fr. generalité, from L. generalitatem (nom. generalitas) generality, from generalis (see GENERAL (Cf. general) (adj.)). Related: Generalities. Form generalty is attested from late 14c …   Etymology dictionary

  • generality — ► NOUN (pl. generalities) 1) a statement or principle having general rather than specific validity or force. 2) the quality or state of being general. 3) (the generality) the majority …   English terms dictionary

  • generality — I (bulk) noun better part, biggest part, body, common run, greater part, greatest number, largest part, main body, main part, majority, mass, predominant part, preponderance, preponderancy, preponderation, principal part, universality II (vague… …   Law dictionary

  • generality — [n] vague notion abstraction, abstract principle, generalization, half truth, law, loose statement, observation, principle, sweeping statement, universality; concepts 688,689 Ant. detail, specific, specificity …   New thesaurus

  • generality — [jen΄ər al′ə tē] n. pl. generalities [ME generalte < OFr généralité < LL generalitas < L generalis] 1. the condition or quality of being general, or applicable to all 2. a general statement, idea, etc., specif. 3. a) one that is vague or …   English World dictionary

  • Generality — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Generality >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 generality generality generalization Sgm: N 1 universality universality Sgm: N 1 catholicity catholicity catholicism Sgm: N 1 miscellany miscellany miscellaneousness Sgm …   English dictionary for students

  • generality — [[t]ʤe̱nəræ̱lɪti[/t]] generalities 1) N COUNT A generality is a general statement that covers a range of things, rather than being concerned with specific instances. [FORMAL] I ll start with some generalities and then examine a few specific… …   English dictionary

  • generality — n. 1) a broad, sweeping generality 2) (to speak) in generalities * * * [ˌdʒenə rælɪtɪ] sweeping generality (to speak) in generalityies a broad …   Combinatory dictionary

  • generality — gen|e|ral|i|ty [ˌdʒenəˈrælıti] n plural generalities 1.) [C usually plural] a very general statement that avoids mentioning details or specific cases ▪ The Secretary of State has given us nothing today but bland generalities. 2.) the generality… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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