in general
prep_phraseEtymology Inherited from Middle English in general.
1
In the general case; without further assumption; without qualification; in all respects.
- Thou art a grave and noble counsellor, Most wise in general:c. 1608, William Shakespeare, Pericles, act V, scene 1:
- Yet is the kindness but particular; ’Twere better she were kiss’d in general.c. 1601, William Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida, act IV, scene 5:
2
As a rule; usually.
- 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.1960 April 23, H. P. White, “The Railways of Sierra Leone”, in Railway Magazine, page 237:
- Synonyms
- as a whole, generally, chiefly, normally, usually
- Antonyms
- in particular