An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

(Adj.) 1) Not limited to one class, field, product, service, etc. 2) Relating to the whole or to the all or most. 3) Dealing with overall characteristics, universal aspects, or important elements.
See also:
→ general precession, → general relativity, → generalization, → generalize, → generalized, → generalized coordinates, → generalized forces, → generalized momenta, → generalized velocities, → New General Catalogue (NGC).

Etymology (EN): From L. generalis “relating to all, of a whole class,” from genus “race, stock, kind,” akin to Pers. zâdan, Av. zan-
“to bear, give birth to a child, be born,” infinitive zazāite, zāta- “born;” Mod.Pers. zâdan, present stem zā-
“to bring forth, give birth” (Mid.Pers. zâtan; cf. Skt. jan- “to produce, create; to be born,” janati “begets, bears;” Gk. gignomai “to happen, become, be born;” L. gignere “to beget;” PIE base *gen- “to give birth, beget.”

Etymology (PE): Harvin, from Mid.Pers. harvin “all,” from har(v) “all, each, every” (Mod.Pers. har “every, all, each, any”); O.Pers. haruva- “whole, all together;” Av. hauruua- “whole, at all, undamaged;” cf. Skt. sárva- “whole, all, every, undivided;” Gk. holos “whole, complete;” L. salvus “whole, safe, healthy,” sollus “whole, entire, unbroken;” PIE base *sol- “whole.”