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Where does the word "general" come from? It comes from Latin generalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
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Where does the word "general" come from? It comes from Latin generalis, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
General’s story begins in Latin: generalis meant “of the whole kind.” From 'genus', kind. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as general. Applying to all. It reached English by 1200s as general. The military rank is short for 'captain general'. Today, general means affecting all; a high military officer.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient generalis "of the whole kind", from 'genus', kind.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval general "general", applying to all.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s general "common to all", the military rank is short for 'captain general'.