generality

[jen-uh-ral-i-tee]

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noun, plural gen·er·al·i·ties.

an indefinite, unspecific, or undetailed statement: to speak in generalities about human rights.

a general principle, rule, or law.

the greater part or majority: the generality of people.

the state or quality of being general.

Origin of generality

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

Synonyms for generality

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1. truism, cliché, platitude, banality.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for generality

generalization, abstraction, observation, principle, law, universality, half-truth

Examples from the Web for generality

Contemporary Examples of generality

The public should know how particular surveillance programs work, at least at a high level of generality.
The Secret FISA Court Must Go
Jennifer Granick, Christopher Sprigman
July 24, 2013

Historical Examples of generality

Now, the fact is, I am a very bad painter, but not much worse than the generality.
Little Dorrit
Charles Dickens
And too much encouraged, I doubt, my dear, by the generality of our sex!
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
Generality important in the subject, particularity in the predicate.information.
Modern Painters Volume I (of V)
John Ruskin
Like the generality of his countrymen, he looked much older than he was.
The International Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2, May, 1851
Various
Do you positively think her so much superior to the generality of women?
The Politician Out-Witted
Samuel Low

British Dictionary definitions for generality

generality

noun plural -ties

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

the state or quality of being general

archaic the majority

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for generality

c.1400, from Old French generalité, from Latin generalitatem (nominative generalitas) "generality," from generalis (see general (adj.)). Related: Generalities. Form generalty is attested from late 14c.