generality

American  

[jen-uh-ral-i-tee] / ˌdʒɛn əˈræl ɪ ti /

noun

plural

generalities

1. an indefinite, unspecific, or undetailed statement.

   to speak in generalities about human rights.

   Synonyms:

   banality, platitude, cliché, truism

2. a general principle, rule, or law.

3. the greater part or majority.

   the generality of people.

4. the state or quality of being general.

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generality British  

/ ˌdʒɛnəˈrælɪtɪ /

noun

1. a principle or observation having general application, esp when imprecise or unable to be proved

2. the state or quality of being general

3. archaic the majority

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Etymology

Origin of generality

1400–50; late Middle English generalite < Latin generālitās. See general, -ity

Explanation

If your mom says, "What have you been up to?" and you reply, "Ah, stuff," you have used a generality. It's the opposite of being specific, of saying, "Well, I shop lifted and picked my nose." Politicians speak in generalities––they want to cut the deficit and keep taxes low, but they don't want to tell you exactly how they will do that. Generalities can also refer to conclusions we draw about the world: If you say people at baseball games like to eat hot dogs, you've used a generality. Maybe people at baseball games eat hot dogs because there's nothing else to buy.

Example Sentences

Before the Revolution the Generality of Paris contained 150,000 arpents of waste commons; the Generality of Soissons 120,000 arpents.

From France and the Republic A Record of Things Seen and Learned in the French Provinces During the 'Centennial' Year 1889 by Hurlbert, William Henry

Generality important in the subject, particularity in the predicate.

From Modern Painters Volume I (of V) by Ruskin, John

The Generality of these Damsels understand Music and Dancing; they also perform Operas at the Theatre of the Palace, and are Musicians of the Chappel.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume I Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

She never stood upon Formalities in point of Ceremonial with the Generality of the Ladies, but freely permitted them to come and visit her in a Scarf.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume III Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

The Generality of those who were not willing to change their Religion, retir'd to our Court, and among others, the Members of the Parliament.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume III Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels from Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

Related Words

• generalization