Generical

/dʒəˈnɛrɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or belonging to a genus or general class; not specific or particular.

Etymology

From 'generic' (from Latin 'genericus', from 'genus' meaning kind or class) plus the suffix '-al'. This is a less common variant of 'generic' emphasizing the categorical nature.

Kelly Says

While 'generic' became the modern standard, 'generical' survives in formal scientific writing—it's a reminder that English speakers once preferred longer, Latinate adjectives to sound more educated.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.