generality

[ jen-uh-ral-i-tee ]

noun

, plural gen·er·al·i·ties.

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.

generality

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of generality¹

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

Example Sentences

This, in effect, makes the “deep learning” neural network not so sure about the importance of the idiosyncrasies of the training set, and more likely to focus on generalities that will end up working better in the real world.

From Nautilus

It’s a test you can devise at this level of generality only by thinking in terms of constructor-theoretic principles.

From Quanta Magazine

The extreme generality of the Erdős-Faber-Lovász conjecture makes it challenging to prove.

From Quanta Magazine

Legg refers to this type of generality as “one-algorithm,” versus the “one-brain” generality humans have.

From MIT Technology Review

The big difference with this new robot scientist is its generality.

From Singularity Hub 

The public should know how particular surveillance programs work, at least at a high level of generality.

From The Daily Beast

In the eighth line we have “bells” seven times repeated in all—bells being taken in their utmost generality, viz., musical action.

From Project Gutenberg

THE generality of naturalists are of opinion that the perfume called civet, or musk, is furnished only by one species of animals.

From Project Gutenberg

The tale-tellers and the gossips—for they exist here as in the generality of sacred places—are distributed in various directions.

From Project Gutenberg

The seats are disposed in six parallel ranges, and the generality are quite good enough for anybody.

From Project Gutenberg

He thrives very well, like the generality of parsons, and will be a long liver if careful.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• generalization