nguages, as in English
and German, three _genders_. The French language has but two _genders_
and makes the names of all inanimate objects either masculine or
feminine; some languages are without the distinction of _gender_, and
those that maintain it are often quite arbitrary in its application. We
speak of the masculine or feminine _gender_, the male or female _sex_.

* * * * *

GENERAL.

Synonyms:

common, familiar, ordinary, universal,
commonplace, frequent, popular, usual.
customary, habitual, prevalent,
everyday, normal, public,

_Common_ signifies frequently occurring, not out of the regular course,
not exceptional; hence, not above the average, not excellent or
distinguished, inferior, or even low; _common_ also signifies pertaining
to or participated in by two or more persons or things; as, sorrow is
_common_ to the race. _General_ may signify pertaining equally to all of
a class, race, etc., but very commonly signifies pertaining to the
greater number, but not necessarily to all. _Universal_ applies to all
without exception; _general_ applies to all with possible or
comparatively slight exceptions; _common_ applies to very many without
deciding whether they are even a majority. A _common_ remark is one we
often hear; a _general_ experience is one that comes to the majority of
people; a _universal_ experience is one from which no human being is
exempt. It is dangerous for a debater to affirm a _universal_
proposition, since that can be negatived by a single exception, while a
_general_ statement is not invalidated even by adducing many exceptions.
We say a _common_ opinion, _common_ experience, a _general_ rule,
_general_ truth, a _universal_ law. Compare synonyms for NORMAL; USUAL.

Antonyms:

exceptional, infrequent, rare, singular, uncommon, unknown, unusual.

* * * * *

GENEROUS.

Synonyms:

bountiful, free, liberal, noble,
chivalrous, free-handed, magnanimous, open-handed,
disinterested, free-hearted, munificent, open-hearted.

_Generous_ (L. _genus_, a race) primarily signifies having the qualities
worthy of noble or honorable birth; hence, free and abundant in giving,
giving freely, heartily, and self-sacrificingly. As regards giving,
_generous_ refers rather to the self-sacrificing heartiness of the
giver, _liberal_ to the amount of the gift; a child m