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definitions

generic

[ juh-ner-ik ]
/ dʒəˈnɛr ɪk /
||

adjective Also ge·ner·i·cal.

of, applicable to, or referring to all the members of a genus, class, group, or kind; general.
of, relating to, or noting a genus, especially in biology.
(of a word) applicable or referring to both men and women: a generic pronoun.
not protected by trademark registration: “Cola” and “shuttle” are generic terms.

noun

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Nearby words

  1. generative-transformational grammar,
  2. generatively,
  3. generativist,
  4. generator,
  5. generatrix,
  6. generic name,
  7. generosity,
  8. generous,
  9. generous to a fault,
  10. generously

Origin of generic

1670–80; < Latin gener- (see gender1) + -ic
SYNONYMS FOR generic
4 general, nonproprietary, unrestricted.
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for generically

British Dictionary definitions for generically

generic

generical

/ (dʒɪˈnɛrɪk) /

adjective

applicable or referring to a whole class or group; general
biology of, relating to, or belonging to a genusthe generic name
denoting the nonproprietary name of a drug, food product, etc

noun

a drug, food product, etc that does not have a trademark
Derived Formsgenerically, adverb

Word Origin for generic

C17: from French; see genus
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 generically

generic

adj.

1670s, "belonging to a large group of objects," formed in English from Latin gener-, stem of genus "kind" (see genus) + -ic. Sense of "not special, not brand-name; in plain, cheap packaging," of groceries, etc., is from 1977.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Medicine definitions for generically

generic

[ jə-nĕr′ĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to a genus.
Relating to or descriptive of an entire group or class; general.
Of or relating to a drug sold under or identified by its official nonproprietary or chemical name.

n.

A drug sold under its generic name.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.