Chapter 56

2. (Mil.) One of the chief military officers of a government or country; the commander of an army, of a body of men not less than a brigade. In European armies, the highest military rank next below field marshal.

In the United States the office of General of the Army has been created by temporary laws, and has been held only by Generals U. S. Grant, W. T. Sherman, and P. H. Sheridan. Popularly, the title General is given to various general officers, as General, Lieutenant general, Major general, Brigadier general, Commissary general, etc. See Brigadier general, Lieutenant general, Major general, in the Vocabulary.

3. (Mil.) The roll of the drum which calls the troops together; as, to beat the general.

4. (Eccl.) The chief of an order of monks, or of all the houses or congregations under the same rule.

5. The public; the people; the vulgar. [Obs.] Shak.

In general, in the main; for the most part.

||Gen`e*ra"li*a (?), n. pl. [Neut. pl., fr. L. generalis.] ||Generalities; general terms. J. S. Mill.

Gen`er*al*is"si*mo (?), n. [It., superl. of generale general. See General, a.] The chief commander of an army; especially, the commander in chief of an army consisting of two or more grand divisions under separate commanders; -- a title used in most foreign countries.

Gen`er*al"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Generalities (#). [L. generalitas: cf. F. gÈnÈralitÈ. Cf. Generalty.]

1. The state of being general; the quality of including species or particulars. Hooker.

2. That which is general; that which lacks specificalness, practicalness, or application; a general or vague statement or phrase.

Let us descend from generalities to particulars.

Landor.

The glittering and sounding generalities of natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

R. Choate.

3. The main body; the bulk; the greatest part; as, the generality of a nation, or of mankind.

Gen"er*al*i`za*ble (?), a. Capable of being generalized, or reduced to a general form of statement, or brought under a general rule.

Extreme cases are . . . not generalizable.

Coleridge

Gen`er*al*i*za"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. gÈnÈralisation.]

1. The act or process of generalizing; the act of bringing individuals or particulars under a genus or class; deduction of a general principle from particulars.

Generalization is only the apprehension of the one in the many.

Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A general inference.

Gen"er*al*ize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Generalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Generalizing (?).] [Cf. F. gÈnÈraliser.]

1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in relation to a genus or to genera.

Copernicus generalized the celestial motions by merely referring them to the moon's motion. Newton generalized them still more by referring this last to the motion of a stone through the air.

W. Nicholson.

2. To apply to other genera or classes; to use with a more extensive application; to extend so as to include all special cases; to make universal in application, as a formula or rule.

When a fact is generalized, our discontent is quited, and we consider the generality itself as tantamount to an explanation.

Sir W. Hamilton.

3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars.

A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.

Coleridge.

Gen"er*al*ize, v. i. To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.

Gen"er*al*ized (?), a. (Zoˆl.) Comprising structural characters which are separated in more specialized forms; synthetic; as, a generalized type.

Gen"er*al*i`zer (&?;), n. One who takes general or comprehensive views. Tyndall.

Gen"er*al*ly, adv. 1. In general; commonly; extensively, though not universally; most frequently.

2. In a general way, or in general relation; in the main; upon the whole; comprehensively.

Generally speaking, they live very quietly.

Addison.

3. Collectively; as a whole; without omissions. [Obs.]

I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee.

2 Sam. xvii. ll.

Gen"er*al*ness, n. The condition or quality of being general; frequency; commonness. Sir P. Sidney.

Gen"er*al*ship, n. 1. The office of a general; the exercise of the functions of a general; -- sometimes, with the possessive pronoun, the personality of a general.

Your generalship puts me in mind of Prince Eugene.

Goldsmith.

2. Military skill in a general officer or commander.

3. Fig.: Leadership; management.

An artful stroke of generalship in Trim to raise a dust.

Sterne.

Gen"er*al*ty (?), n. Generality. [R.] Sir M. Hale.

Gen"er*ant (?), a. [L. generans, p. pr. of generare.] Generative; producing; esp. (Geom.), acting as a generant.

Gen"er*ant, n. 1. That which generates. Glanvill.

2. (Geom.) A generatrix.

Gen"er*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Generated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Generating.] [L. generatus, p. p. of generare to generate, fr. genus. See Genus, Gender.]

1. To beget; to procreate; to propagate; to produce (a being similar to the parent); to engender; as, every animal generates its own species.

2. To cause to be; to bring into life. Milton.

3. To originate, especially by a vital or chemical process; to produce; to cause.

Whatever generates a quantity of good chyle must likewise generate milk.

Arbuthnot.

4. (Math.) To trace out, as a line, figure, or solid, by the motion of a point or a magnitude of inferior order.

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Gen`er*a"tion (?), n. [OE. generacioun, F. gÈnÈration, fr.L. generatio.] 1. The act of generating or begetting; procreation, as of animals.

2. Origination by some process, mathematical, chemical, or vital; production; formation; as, the generation of sounds, of gases, of curves, etc.

3. That which is generated or brought forth; progeny; offspiring.

4. A single step or stage in the succession of natural descent; a rank or remove in genealogy. Hence: The body of those who are of the same genealogical rank or remove from an ancestor; the mass of beings living at one period; also, the average lifetime of man, or the ordinary period of time at which one rank follows another, or father is succeeded by child, usually assumed to be one third of a century; an age.

This is the book of the generations of Adam.

Gen. v. 1.

Ye shall remain there [in Babylon] many years, and for a long season, namely, seven generations.

Baruch vi. 3.

All generations and ages of the Christian church.

Hooker.

5. Race; kind; family; breed; stock.

Thy mother's of my generation; what's she, if I be a dog?

Shak.

6. (Geom.) The formation or production of any geometrical magnitude, as a line, a surface, a solid, by the motion, in accordance with a mathematical law, of a point or a magnitude; as, the generation of a line or curve by the motion of a point, of a surface by a line, a sphere by a semicircle, etc.

7. (Biol.) The aggregate of the functions and phenomene which attend reproduction.

There are four modes of generation in the animal kingdom: scissiparity or by fissiparous generation, gemmiparity or by budding, germiparity or by germs, and oviparity or by ova.

Alternate generation (Biol.), alternation of sexual with asexual generation, in which the products of one process differ from those of the other, -- a form of reproduction common both to animal and vegetable organisms. In the simplest form, the organism arising from sexual generation produces offspiring unlike itself, agamogenetically. These, however, in time acquire reproductive organs, and from their impregnated germs the original parent form is reproduced. In more complicated cases, the first series of organisms produced agamogenetically may give rise to others by a like process, and these in turn to still other generations. Ultimately, however, a generation is formed which develops sexual organs, and the original form is reproduced. -- Spontaneous generation (Biol.), the fancied production of living organisms without previously existing parents from inorganic matter, or from decomposing organic matter, a notion which at one time had many supporters; abiogenesis.

Gen"er*a*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. gÈnÈratif.] Having the power of generating, propagating, originating, or producing. "That generative particle." Bentley.

Gen"er*a`tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who, or that which, generates, begets, causes, or produces.

2. An apparatus in which vapor or gas is formed from a liquid or solid by means of heat or chemical process, as a steam boiler, gas retort, or vessel for generating carbonic acid gas, etc.

3. (Mus.) The principal sound or sounds by which others are produced; the fundamental note or root of the common chord; -- called also generating tone.

Gen`er*a"trix (?), n.; pl. L. Generatrices (#), E. Generatrixes (#). [L.] (Geom.) That which generates; the point, or the mathematical magnitude, which, by its motion, generates another magnitude, as a line, surface, or solid; -- called also describent.

{ Ge*ner"ic (?), Ge*ner"ic*al (?), } a. [L. genus, generis, race, kind: cf. F. gÈnÈrique. See Gender.]

1. (Biol.) Pertaining to a genus or kind; relating to a genus, as distinct from a species, or from another genus; as, a generic description; a generic difference; a generic name.

2. Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large classes or their characteristics; -- opposed to specific.

Ge*ner"ic*al*ly, adv. With regard to a genus, or an extensive class; as, an animal generically distinct from another, or two animals or plants generically allied.

Ge*ner"ic*al*ness, n. The quality of being generic.

Ge*ner`i*fi*ca"tion (?), n. [L. genus kind, class + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See -fy.] The act or process of generalizing.

Out of this the universal is elaborated by generification.

Sir W. Hamilton.

Gen`er*os"i*ty (?), n. [L. generositas: cf. F. gÈnÈrositÈ.] 1. Noble birth. [Obs.] Harris (Voyages).

2. The quality of being noble; noble- mindedness.

Generosity is in nothing more seen than in a candid estimation of other men's virtues and good qualities.

Barrow.

3. Liberality in giving; munificence.

Syn. -- Magnanimity; liberality.

Gen"er*ous (?), a. [F. gÈnÈreux, fr. L. generous of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus birth, race: cf. It. generoso. See 2d Gender.]

1. Of honorable birth or origin; highborn. [Obs.]

The generous and gravest citizens.

Shak.

2. Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous. "The generous critic." Pope. "His generous spouse." Pope. "A generous pack [of hounds]." Addison.

3. Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent; as, a generous friend or father.

4. Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing; as, a generous table. Swift.

5. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as, generous wine.

Syn. -- Magnanimous; bountiful. See Liberal.

-- Gen"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Gen"er*ous*ness, n.

Gen`e*see" ep"och (?). (Geol.) The closing subdivision of the Hamilton period in the American Devonian system; - - so called because the formations of this period crop out in Genesee, New York.

Ge*ne"sial (?), a. Of or relating to generation.

Ge*ne`si*ol"gy (?), n. [Gr. &?; birth + -logy.] The doctrine or science of generation.

Gen"e*sis (?), n. [L., from Gr. ge`nesis, fr. the root of gi`gnesqai to beget, be born; akin to L. genus birth, race. See Gender.]

1. The act of producing, or giving birth or origin to anything; the process or mode of originating; production; formation; origination.

The origin and genesis of poor Sterling's club.

Carlyle.

2. The first book of the Old Testament; -- so called by the Greek translators, from its containing the history of the creation of the world and of the human race.

3. (Geom.) Same as Generation.

Gen"et (jn"t or j*nt"), Ge*nette" (j*nt"), n. [F. genette, Sp. gineta, fr. Ar. jarnei.] 1. (Zoˆl.) One of several species of small Carnivora of the genus Genetta, allied to the civets, but having the scent glands less developed, and without a pouch.

The common genet (Genetta vulgaris) of Southern Europe, Asia Minor, and North Africa, is dark gray, spotted with black. The long tail is banded with black and white. The Cape genet (G. felina), and the berbe (G. pardina), are related African species.

2. The fur of the common genet (Genetta vulgaris); also, any skin dressed in imitation of this fur.

Gen"et (?), n. [See Jennet.] A small-sized, well-proportioned, Spanish horse; a jennet. Shak.

Ge*neth"li*ac (?), a. [L. genethliacus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; belonging to one's birth, gene`qlh birth, fr. gi`gnesqai to be born.] Pertaining to nativities; calculated by astrologers; showing position of stars at one's birth. Howell.

Ge*neth"li*ac, n. 1. A birthday poem.

2. One skilled in genethliacs.

Gen`eth*li"a*cal (?), a. Genethliac.

Ge*neth"li*acs (?), n. The science of calculating nativities, or predicting the future events of life from the stars which preside at birth. Johnson.

Ge*neth`li*al"o*gy (?), n. [Gr. geneqlhalogi`a astrology; gene`qlh birth + lo`gos discourse.] Divination as to the destinies of one newly born; the act or art of casting nativities; astrology.

Ge*neth`li*at"ic (?), n. One who calculates nativities. Sir W. Drummond.

Ge*net"ic (j*nt"k), a. Same as Genetical.

Ge*net"ic*al (-*kal), a. [See Genesis.] Pertaining to, concerned with, or determined by, the genesis of anything, or its natural mode of production or development.

This historical, genetical method of viewing prior systems of philosophy.

Hare.

Ge*net"ic*al*ly, adv. In a genetical manner.

Ge*ne"va (?), n. The chief city of Switzerland.

Geneva Bible, a translation of the Bible into English, made and published by English refugees in Geneva (Geneva, 1560; London, 1576). It was the first English Bible printed in Roman type instead of the ancient black letter, the first which recognized the division into verses, and the first which omitted the Apocrypha. In form it was a small quarto, and soon superseded the large folio of Cranmer's translation. Called also Genevan Bible. -- Geneva convention (Mil.), an agreement made by representatives of the great continental powers at Geneva and signed in 1864, establishing new and more humane regulation regarding the treatment of the sick and wounded and the status of those who minister to them in war. Ambulances and military hospitals are made neutral, and this condition affects physicians, chaplains, nurses, and the ambulance corps. Great Britain signed the convention in 1865. -- Geneva cross (Mil.), a red Greek cross on a white ground; -- the flag and badge adopted in the Geneva convention.

Ge*ne"va (?), n. [F. geniËvre juniper, juniper berry, gin, OF. geneivre juniper, fr. L. juniperus the juniper tree: cf. D. jenever, fr. F. geniËvre. See Juniper, and cf. Gin a liquor.] A strongly alcoholic liquor, flavored with juniper berries; -- made in Holland; Holland gin; Hollands.

Ge*ne"van (?), a. Of or pertaining to Geneva, in Switzerland; Genevese.

Ge*ne"van, n. 1. A native or inhabitant of Geneva.

2. A supported of Genevanism.

Ge*ne"van*ism (?), n. [From Geneva, where Calvin resided.] Strict Calvinism. Bp. Montagu.

Gen`e*vese" (?), a. [Cf. L. Genevensis, F. gÈnevois.] Of or pertaining to Geneva, in Switzerland; Genevan. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Geneva; collectively, the inhabitants of Geneva; people of Geneva.

Ge*ni"al (?), a. (Anat.) Same as Genian.

Gen"ial (?), a. [L. genialis: cf. OF. genial. See Genius.] 1. Contributing to, or concerned in, propagation or production; generative; procreative; productive. "The genial bed." Milton.

Creator Venus, genial power of love.

Dryden.

2. Contributing to, and sympathizing with, the enjoyment of life; sympathetically cheerful and cheering; jovial and inspiring joy or happiness; exciting pleasure and sympathy; enlivening; kindly; as, she was of a cheerful and genial disposition.

So much I feel my genial spirits droop.

Milton.

3. Belonging to one's genius or natural character; native; natural; inborn. [Obs.]

Natural incapacity and genial indisposition.

Sir T. Browne.

4. Denoting or marked with genius; belonging to the higher nature. [R.]

Men of genius have often attached the highest value to their less genial works.

Hare.

Genial gods (Pagan Mythol.), the powers supposed to preside over marriage and generation.

Ge`ni*al"i*ty (?), n. [L. genialitas.] The quality of being genial; sympathetic cheerfulness; warmth of disposition and manners.

Gen"ial*ly (?), adv. 1. By genius or nature; naturally. [Obs.]

Some men are genially disposed to some opinions.

Glanvill.

2. Gayly; cheerfully. Johnson.

Gen"ial*ness, n. The quality of being genial.

Ge*ni"an (?), a. [Gr. &?; chin; akin to &?; under jaw. Cf. Chin.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the chin; mental; as, the genian prominence.

Ge*nic"u*late (?), a. [L. geniculatus, fr. geniculum little knee, knot or joint, dim. of genu knee. See Knee.] Bent abruptly at an angle, like the knee when bent; as, a geniculate stem; a geniculate ganglion; a geniculate twin crystal.

Ge*nic"u*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Geniculated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Geniculating.] To form joints or knots on. [R.] Cockeram.

Ge*nic"u*la`ted (?), a. Same as Geniculate.

Ge*nic`u*la"tion (?), n. [L. geniculatio a kneeling.]

1. The act of kneeling. [R.] Bp. Hall.

2. The state of being bent abruptly at an angle.

||GÈ`nie (?), n. [F.] See Genius.

||Ge"ni*o (?), n. [It. See Genius.] A man of a particular turn of mind. ||[R.] Tatler.

Ge`ni*o*hy"oid (?), a. [Gr. &?; the chin + E. hyoid.] (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the chin and hyoid bone; as, the geniohyoid muscle.

Gen"i*pap (?), n. (Bot.) The edible fruit of a West Indian tree (Genipa Americana) of the order RubiaceÊ. It is oval in shape, as a large as a small orange, of a pale greenish color, and with dark purple juice.

||Ge*nis"ta (?), n. [L., broom.] (Bot.) A genus of plants including the ||common broom of Western Europe.

Gen"i*tal (?), a. [L. genitalis, fr. genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. gÈnital. See Gender.] Pertaining to generation, or to the generative organs.

Genital cord (Anat.), a cord developed in the fetus by the union of portions of the Wolffian and M¸llerian ducts and giving rise to parts of the urogenital passages in both sexes.

Gen"i*tals (?), n. pl. [From Genital, a.: cf. L. genitalia.] The organs of generation; the sexual organs; the private parts.

Gen"i*ting (?), n. [See Jenneting.] A species of apple that ripens very early. Bacon.

Gen`i*ti"val (?), a. Possessing genitive from; pertaining to, or derived from, the genitive case; as, a genitival adverb. -- Gen`i*ti"val*ly, adv.

Gen"i*tive (?), a. [L. genitivus, fr. gignere, genitum, to beget: cf. F. gÈnitif. See Gender.] (Gram.) Of or pertaining to that case (as the second case of Latin and Greek nouns) which expresses source or possession. It corresponds to the possessive case in English.

Gen"i*tive, n. (Gram.) The genitive case.

Genitive absolute, a construction in Greek similar to the ablative absolute in Latin. See Ablative absolute.

Gen`i*to*cru"ral (?), a. [Genital + crural.] (Anat.) Pertaining to the genital organs and the thigh; -- applied especially to one of the lumbar nerves.

Gen"i*tor (?), n. [L.] 1. One who begets; a generator; an originator. Sheldon.

2. pl. The genitals. [Obs.] Holland.

Gen`i*to*u"ri*na*ry (?), a. [Genital + urinary.] (Anat.) See Urogenital.

Gen"i*ture (?), n. [L. genitura: cf. F. gÈniture.] Generation; procreation; birth. Dryden.

Gen"ius (?), n.; pl. E. Geniuses (#); in sense 1, L. Genii (#). [L. genius, prop., the superior or divine nature which is innate in everything, the spirit, the tutelar deity or genius of a person or place, taste, talent, genius, from genere, gignere, to beget, bring forth. See Gender, and cf. Engine.] 1. A good or evil spirit, or demon, supposed by the ancients to preside over a man's destiny in life; a tutelary deity; a supernatural being; a spirit, good or bad. Cf. Jinnee.

The unseen genius of the wood.

Milton.

We talk of genius still, but with thought how changed! The genius of Augustus was a tutelary demon, to be sworn by and to receive offerings on an altar as a deity.

Tylor.

2. The peculiar structure of mind with which each individual is endowed by nature; that disposition or aptitude of mind which is peculiar to each man, and which qualifies him for certain kinds of action or special success in any pursuit; special taste, inclination, or disposition; as, a genius for history, for poetry, or painting.

3. Peculiar character; animating spirit, as of a nation, a religion, a language.

4. Distinguished mental superiority; uncommon intellectual power; especially, superior power of invention or origination of any kind, or of forming new combinations; as, a man of genius.

Genius of the highest kind implies an unusual intensity of the modifying power.

Coleridge.

5. A man endowed with uncommon vigor of mind; a man of superior intellectual faculties; as, Shakespeare was a rare genius.

Syn. -- Genius, Talent. Genius implies high and peculiar gifts of nature, impelling the mind to certain favorite kinds of mental effort, and producing new combinations of ideas, imagery, etc. Talent supposes general strength of intellect, with a peculiar aptitude for being molded and directed to specific employments and valuable ends and purposes. Genius is connected more or less with the exercise of imagination, and reaches its ends by a kind of intuitive power. Talent depends more on high mental training, and a perfect command of all the faculties, memory, judgment, sagacity, etc. Hence we speak of a genius for poetry, painting. etc., and a talent for business or diplomacy. Among English orators, Lord Chatham was distinguished for his genius; William Pitt for his preÎminent talents, and especially his unrivaled talent for debate.

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||Genius loci (&?;) [L.], the genius or presiding divinity of a place; ||hence, the pervading spirit of a place or institution, as of a ||college, etc.

Gen`o*ese" (?), a. Of or pertaining to Genoa, a city of Italy. -- n. sing. & pl. A native or inhabitant of Genoa; collectively, the people of Genoa.

||Ge*nouil`lËre" (?), n. [F.]

1. (Anc. Armor) A metal plate covering the knee.

2. (Fort.) That part of a parapet which lies between the gun platform and the bottom of an embrasure.

-ge*nous. [-gen + -ous.] A suffix signifying producing, yielding; as, alkaligenous; endogenous.

||Genre (zh‰N"r'), n. [F. See Gender.] (Fine Arts) A style of painting, ||sculpture, or other imitative art, which illustrates everyday life ||and manners.

||Gens (jnz), n.; pl. Gentes (jn"tz). [L. See Gentle, a.] (Rom. Hist.) ||1. A clan or family connection, embracing several families of the ||same stock, who had a common name and certain common religious rites; ||a subdivision of the Roman curia or tribe.

2. (Ethnol.) A minor subdivision of a tribe, among American aborigines. It includes those who have a common descent, and bear the same totem.

Gent (?), a. [OF. gent, fr. L. genitus born, or (less prob.) fr. gentilis. See Genteel.]

1. Gentle; noble; of gentle birth. [Obs.]

All of a knight [who] was fair and gent.

Chaucer.

2. Neat; pretty; fine; elegant. [Obs.] Spenser.

Her body gent and small.

Chaucer.

Gen*teel" (?), a. [F. gentil noble, pretty, graceful. See Gentle.] 1. Possessing or exhibiting the qualities popularly regarded as belonging to high birth and breeding; free from vulgarity, or lowness of taste or behavior; adapted to a refined or cultivated taste; polite; well-bred; as, genteel company, manners, address.

2. Graceful in mien or form; elegant in appearance, dress, or manner; as, the lady has a genteel person. Law.

3. Suited to the position of lady or a gentleman; as, to live in a genteel allowance.

Syn. -- Polite; well-bred; refined; polished.

Gen*teel"ish, a. Somewhat genteel.

Gen*teel"ly, adv. In a genteel manner.