| 释义 |
generality|ˌdʒɛnəˈrælɪtɪ|
Forms: 5 generalyte, 6 generalite, -ytie, 6–7 general(l)itie, 7 genrality, generallity, 6– generality.
[ad. F. généralité (substituted for the older generauté generalty), a. L. generālitās, f. generālis general.]
I. Senses related to those of general a.
1. The quality or fact of being general, in various senses of the adj.; now chiefly (of principles, propositions, etc.), applicability to a whole class of instances; (of statements) vagueness, indeterminateness. † Formerly also, prevalence, commonness; wide range (of studies), etc.
1587Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1027/1 So also was it generallie doone throughout all England, in which generalitie this citie was of a particularitie. 1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. i. §3 The generalitie of which perswasion argueth, that God hath imprinted it by nature. 1605Timme Quersit. Pref. 7 A generalitie in humane learning beseemeth a Diuine. 1615Markham Eng. Housew. (1660) 175 Oates..are of all manner of graine the cheapest because of their generality. 1628T. Spencer Logick 256 As we found in a simple axiome, so shall we finde in a simple Syllogisme..generalitie, and specialitie. 1659Pearson Creed To Rdr., To settle the words of each Article according to their antiquity and generality of reception in the Creed. 1692Ray Dissol. World ii. (1732) 118 Save only the Generality of it [the Deluge]. 1775Burke Corr. (1844) II. 84 When an epitaph is very short, it is in danger of getting into a cold generality. 1784Waring in Phil. Trans. LXXIV. 408 A resolution of algebraical equations, not inferior, on account of its generality and facility, to any yet published. 1796Burke Regic. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 142 We must not always judge of the generality of the opinion by the noise of the acclamation. 1802Ld. Eldon in Vesey's Rep. VII. 69 According to that case the generality of the gift made the effectuating it impracticable. 1830Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. 102 We arrive at axioms of the highest degree of generality of which science is capable. 1831Brewster Newton (1855) II. xiv. 23 He announced to his friends that he possessed a method of great generality and power. 1865Grote Plato I. i. 86 Handled in a spirit of empty generality, without facts or particulars. 1871Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. iii. 87 Let us test the generality of this conclusion. 1883Sir E. E. Kay in Law Rep. 23 Ch. Div. 718 The subsequent words..did not restrain the generality of the former words.
†b. in or under (a, a certain, the) generality: in general terms, in a general way, in outline; generally, in general. (The earliest recorded use.)
1482Monk of Evesham (Arb.) 76 As y haue schortely aboue seyde vnder a certen generalyte. 1530Palsgr. 149 This for an introduction & in a generalytie to shewe howe many partes of speche there be. 1570–6Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 1 Having thus before hand exhibited in generalitie, the names, scituation, and compasse of the realme [etc.]. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xiv. (Arb.) 48 The new Comedy came in place, more ciuill and pleasant a great deale and not touching any man by name, but in a certaine generalitie glancing at euery abuse. 1655Digges Compl. Ambass. 371, I can as yet deliver your Lordship no more, but this in generality. 1726Ayliffe Parergon 159 And these Certificates do only in the generality mention the Parties Contumacies and Disobedience.
2. quasi-concr. Something that is general; † a general class (obs.); a general point, principle, or law; a general proposition or statement; chiefly in pl.
1551Bp. Gardiner Presence in Sacram. 37 b, It hath no apparaunce of lernyng in scriptures, to conclude vnder one consideration a specialtie, & a generalitie. 1561T. Norton Calvin's Inst. ii. iv. (1634) 139 Under the example of one speciall sort he comprehendeth the whole generalitie. 1563–87Foxe A. & M. (1684) III. 490 You do agree in generalities, but when it shall come to the particularities, you will far disagree. 1597Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. ix. §2 With..popular capacities nothing doth more preuaile then vnlimited generalities. 1640Bp. Hall Episc. ii. §11. 147 Lest any man should construe these words onely of a generality of reverent respects. 1791Burke App. Whigs Wks. VI. 102 It was always in his power to bring the questions from generalities to facts. 1822Hazlitt Table-t. Ser. ii. v. (1869) 120 Keep to your sounding generalities, your tinkling phrases and all will be well. a1850J. C. Calhoun Wks. (1874) II. 469 Those opposed to us have dealt in such vague generalities. 1860Motley Netherl. (1868) I. ii. 63 He was very cautious to confine himself to generalities. 1868Rogers Pol. Econ. viii. (1876) 73 The illustration was, that food increases in an arithmetical, population in a geometrical ratio. This generality has been adversely commented on, and with justice. 1875Stubbs Const. Hist. III. xviii. 120 Gloucester..as usual dealt in generalities.
†b. pl. The general course. Obs.—1
a1628F. Greville Sidney (1652) 221 Ever guiding the generalities of the Voyage.
3. The main body, the bulk, the greater part of. (Now only with n. pl. or collect.) † Also, the general body; people in general; the majority.
1622R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 164 Whatsoever belongeth to her of tackling, sayles, or ordinance, is to bee preserved for the generalitie: saving a peece of artillery for the captaine. 1624Capt. Smith Virginia iv. 119 Many will make hay whilst the sunne doth shine, how euer it shall faire with the generality. 1641Wilkins Math. Magick i. xi. (1648) 70 The generality of men, especially the wisest sort amongst them. 1660Stanley Hist. Philos. ix. (1701) 351/1 His Country summoned him to some publick employment, that he might benefit the generality. 1660Wood Life (O.H.S.) I. 310 Some..were good scholars, but the generality dunces. a1700Hopkins Serm. vii. (1708) 140 These Things the generality of Mankind..firmly believe. 1703tr. Casa's Galateo 44 With such idle insignificant Stuff; for such the generality of Dreams are. 1722De Foe Plague (1754) 22 The Generality stay'd, and seem'd to abide the worst. 1734T. Smith Jrnl. 4 Apr. (1849) 266 As hot a day as the generality of summer. 1759Robertson Hist. Scot. (1817) II. iii. 75 An hundred merks Scottish was the allowance which their liberality afforded to the generality of ministers. 1790Beattie Let. in Sir W. Forbes Life ccxiii. (1824) 380 It is plain that the generality are actuated by a levelling principle of the worst kind. 1808J. Webster Nat. Phil. 156 The generality of clouds are suspended at about the height of a mile. 1876Mozley Univ. Serm. iv. 84 The generality are sent into the world for their own moral benefit. 1897F. Hall in Nation (N.Y.) LXIV. 396/2 The phrases here collected will reveal, to the generality who read this letter, that [etc.].
†b. for, in (a, the) generality: for the most part, mostly, in general. Obs.
1563Homilies ii. Rogat. Week iii. (1859) 491 The world in generality is forgetful of God. 1588in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) II. 77 The people of his country, in a generality, did amongst themselves determine, that [etc.]. 1647May Hist. Parl. i. ii. 19 On which side the common people in the generality..stood. 1654H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 19 The Country Captains of the Train-bands were (for the generality) very unskilfull. 1684R. H. School Recreat. 10 If you would chuse a swift, light Hound, the York-shire one in the generality will please you. 1709F. Hauksbee Phys. Mech. Exp. v. (1719) 203 Small Loadstones, for the generality, have a stronger attractive Power (in proportion to their bulk) than the large ones have. 1799G. Smith Laboratory II. 13 For the generality, they [the medals] are made of pure gold or silver.
II. In special senses of F. généralité.
†4. The dignity or office of general. Obs.
1686F. Spence tr. Varilla's Ho. Medicis 99 They changed his generality and quality of Count into that of Duke.
†5. The general staff of an army. Obs.
1578T. N. tr. Conq. W. India 99 The other Letter was firmed by the Generalitie and Chiefest of the armie. 1676Lond. Gaz. No. 1094/1 The Imperial Generality is now broke up from Eslingen, and the whole Army marches towards the Rhine.
6. Fr. Hist. A fiscal and administrative division of the kingdom of France, under the control of an officer called général des finances or intendant.
1630R. Johnson's Kingd. & Commw. 167 Of these Generalities are twenty and one in all France. 1714Fr. Bk. of Rates 156 Forbidding also the Intendants and Governours of Provinces or Generalities..to deliver any..Permits, for bringing any such Goods into France. 1792A. Young Trav. France 577 The kingdom was parcelled into generalities, with an intendant at the head of each. 1877Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. II. 194 There were three different divisions of France in the 18th Century..third, the Generality, or a district defined for fiscal and administrative purposes. |