What is the Latin word for general?

The usual Latin words for “general” are generālis, commūnis, vulgō; also terō, omnis, dux. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“general” in Latin

generālisgeneral, generic commūniscommon, commonplace, ordinary, general, universal, shared, shared alike, of both sides, belonging to two or more togethe vulgōto broadcast; to publish; to divulge; to issue; to make known among the people; to make common; to prostitute; to make k terōto rub or triturate; to wear away or wear out, consume; to tread omnisevery; whole, the entirety, all; all duxleader, head; commander, general, captain; prince, ruler exercitusexercise; trouble, affliction; an exercised, disciplined body of men, an army praetorleader, head, chief, president; praetor (office)imperōto command, give orders to, impose, demand; to rule, govern cōpiasupply, abundance, copiousness, wealth, riches; plenty, fulness, multitude; opportunity, facilities (the means of doing

The English word general itself goes back to Latin genus, through generālis.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

general adj.

generalis (relating to the whole): communis (common; of or belonging to all): vulgaris: tritus (in common use; usual every where). (The words are found in this connection and order.) vulgaris communisque: sometimes omnis (e.g., a general laugh followed, omnium consecutus est risus; there is a general agreement, omnes uno ore consentiunt).

In general; Vid: GENERALLY.

general s.

dux: dux belli or exercitus: praetor (= prae-itor, a general of people who were not Romans, especially of their land forces, στρατηφός; especially in Nep.; Vid: Commentators ad Milt., 4; but imperator is also used of foreign generals): imperator (a general or commander-in-chief, especially a general worthy of the name, a great general; Vid: Cic., Or., 1, 48, 210). A general of cavalry, praefectus equitum (general term); magister equitum (in the Roman army): to be a general of cavalry, equitatui praeesse: a general of infantry, copiarum pedestrium dux: to be a general of infantry, copiis pedestribus, or simply copiis, praeesse: an army that is commanded by an able general, exercitus, cui praepositus est sapiens et callidus imperator: a good general, bonus ac fortis, or (egregie) fortis et bonus: the duties or labors of a general, labor imperatorius (Cic.): in the sight or presence of the general, in conspectu imperatoris: to be chosen general, ducem deligi ad bellum gerendum.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for general?: The usual Latin words for “general” are generālis, commūnis, vulgō; also terō, omnis, dux. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.