generalship

generalship

English

Etymology

From general +‎ -ship.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdʒɛn(ə)ɹəlʃɪp/

Noun

generalship (plural generalships)

1. The position or office of a general. [from 16th c.]
2. The term of office of a military general. [from 17th c.]

   George Washington's generalship was marked by both amazing victories and stunning blunders, neither of which would have happened to someone with more formal officer training.

3. The skills or performance of a good general; military leadership, strategy. [from 17th c.]
   • 1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society 2010, p. 277:

     At the same time, awed by the brilliant and daring generalship which had enabled the Russian to capture their city with so small a force, the elders gave him the honorific title of ‘Lion of Tashkent’.

   • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 136:

     Virtually the whole of the region fell to Saxe's ingenious generalship.

4. By extension, leadership, good management. [from 18th c.]

   Under my generalship my fine troop of brats picked up every scrap of litter in that lot.