in general

Inherited from Middle English in general.

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in general

1. In the general case; without further assumption; without qualification; in all respects.
   • c. 1608, William Shakespeare, Pericles‎^[1], act V, scene 1:

     Thou art a grave and noble counsellor,
     Most wise in general:

   • c. 1601, William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida‎^[2], act IV, scene 5:

     Yet is the kindness but particular;
     ’Twere better she were kiss’d in general.

2. As a rule; usually.
   • 1960 April, H. P. White, “The Railways of Sierra Leone”, in Railway Magazine, page 237:

     Seasonal fluctuations in traffic mean the number of paths actually used varies. In general, three up goods and the pick-up [pick-up goods train] leave Freetown daily.

• (in the general case): as a whole, generally; see also Thesaurus:generally
• (as a rule): chiefly, generally, normally; see also Thesaurus:mostly or Thesaurus:usually

• (antonym(s) of “in the general case”): in particular; see also Thesaurus:specifically

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