glittering generality

American  

[glit-er-ing jen-uh-ral-i-tee] / ˈglɪt ər ɪŋ ˌdʒɛn əˈræl ɪ ti /

noun

1. a word or phrase that is used primarily to appeal to a person's emotions and values.

   They used glittering generalities like “freedom,” “civilization,” and “democracy” to boost support for the movement without talking about how to achieve those lofty goals.

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Etymology

Origin of glittering generality

First recorded in 1845–50

Example Sentences

A sentence like this has all the ear-marks of a glittering generality.

From The Truth about Jesus : Is He a Myth? by Mangasarian, M. M. (Mangasar Mugurditch)

It looked to no glittering generality for its reward, such as the soul s 'highest good much talked of in the philosophy of that time.

From Eben Holden, a tale of the north country by Bacheller, Irving

You might as well think of loving a glittering generality like "the American woman."

From Little Rivers; a book of essays in profitable idleness by Van Dyke, Henry

In its center was a battered, weather kiosk, and facing it, was a huge electric advertisement which indulged in the glittering generality, that "You get what you pay for."

From Calvary Alley by Rice, Alice Caldwell Hegan

At that time the language of our friend was but a glittering generality, for there were very many who could not be styled sovereigns in any sense of the term.

From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume II by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady