المعنى الاصطلاحي

A term that signifies all individuals subsumed under it, without limitation.

الشرح المختصر

"‘Āmm" (general) is the term that indicates all the individuals that are subsumed under it. For example, the term ''Muslims'' indicates every Muslim individual. On the contrary, proper nouns, which indicate one single individual such as Muhammad, `Umar, etc., are not "`aamm". Likewise, terms that indicate a number are not "`aamm", such as a thousand, a hundred, etc., as they include a limited number of individuals. There are several designations for "`aamm" terms, including ''every''; the definite article ''the'', which implies comprehensiveness of the plural, which is called "al-aljins" (al of genus); an indefinite noun in a negative context; relative pronouns such as ''who''; conditionals; etc. "`Aamm" has three categories: 1. The "`aamm" term that is not subject to specification. This is rare because, by default, the "`aamm" is subject to specification. 2. The "`aamm" term that is subject to specification. This is the most common type of a "`aamm" term. It is of two types: "‘ām mahfoozh" which is not specified, and "‘ām makhsoos" which is specified. 3. The "`aamm" term which is meant to indicate something specific. Here, the term itself indicates something "`aamm", but the context indicates something specific.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر

''‘Āmm'': comprehensive, all-encompassing. Opposite: "khaass" (specific). Original meaning: completeness, perfection. Other meanings: generic, multiple, all-inclusive, collective.

التعريف

A word that applies to all what is suited to it, without limitation.