Generical

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A description of something that is common or typical instead of unique
2. It denotes a quality of being general rather than specific or distinctive
3. Characterizing something as usual or standard for its kind, not special or unusual ; showing no unique or distinguishing characteristics, appearing ordinary

Etymology: "Generical" is formed from "generic" plus the English suffix "-al," which turns an adjective into a variant with a similar sense. "Generic" itself comes from the Latin "genus" (kind, class), via the Medieval Latin "genericus," and entered English in the 1600s through the logic and grammar of classification, where it described things belonging to a whole class rather than a single individual. Its modern sense of "without distinctive features" developed from that idea of belonging to a general class rather than standing out. The "-al" suffix is the more common ending in English adjectives (as in "musical" or "national"), so "generical" is a rare, slightly awkward doubling of the same idea. Most dictionaries and usage guides prefer "generic" alone. "Generical" is attested mainly in older and informal writing, so it is best treated as a nonstandard variant rather than a separate word with its own history.

Synonyms: generic, common, general, standard, typical

Antonyms: specific, distinctive, particular, unique, individual