full general
- noun
- Specialized
:
general de cuatro estrellas
- Looking at the seniority of the ersatz brigade and divisional commanders (one division was commanded by a retired full general, a former army commander), it is clear that some very old senior officers were being put back into harness.
- promoted to full general
Examples
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In the army, a full general oversees all military operations and advises on strategic planning.
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President Bill Clinton promoted him to the rank of full general in recognition of his service.
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After years of exemplary leadership, she was finally appointed as a full general in the armed forces.
Synonyms
636
4.2
A very high military officer who leads the army, air force, or marines
Surface Forms
Morphology
The modifier 'full' (complete/full) combined with 'general' signals a general who holds the full/regular rank (as opposed to an acting or temporary appointment), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a fully ranked general. However, the exact sense that this refers to the specific highest rank above lieutenant general depends on military rank conventions and is not strictly predictable from the words alone.
Etymology
Full general uses full to mean 'complete' or 'not temporary' added to general (a top army officer). Imagine a commander who is finally given the whole job and all power, not just acting duties, so full general means the highest, fully appointed general in the army.