"Ian White, G3SEK" wrote:

Keith wrote:
[...]
in general (using my definition of general)
[...]
in general (using my definition of general)
[...]
in general (using my definition
of general)
[...]
in the general case (using my definition
of general)

You don't have to be defensive about this, Keith - you're on solid
ground. In this discussion, where we're trying to be scientific, you are
using the word in the correct *scientific* sense, meaning "in all
cases."

Cecil is using it in a different and looser sense, meaning "in common
cases."

"General" is just another of those words like "theory" where the
scientific usage and regular conversational usage are almost completely
opposite.

Yes, indeed, 'general' is one of those words with multiple mutually
inconsistent meanings. My dictionary gives seven definitions for the
adjective form and they alternate between meanings which 'include
all' and those which 'include most'.

....Keith