from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Generic \Ge*ner"ic\, Generical \Ge*ner"ic*al\, a. [L. genus,
generis, race, kind: cf. F. g['e]n['e]rique. See {Gender}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Biol.) Pertaining to a genus or kind; relating to a
genus, as distinct from a species, or from another genus;
as, a generic description; a generic difference; a generic
name. [WordNet sense 1]
[1913 Webster]
2. Very comprehensive; pertaining or appropriate to large
classes or their characteristics; -- opposed to
{specific}. [WordNet sense 3]
[1913 Webster]
3. (Commerce) Not protected by trademark; -- used especially
of the names of medications; as, a generic drug; the
generic name of Rogaine is minoxidil. [WordNet sense 2]
[PJC]
Note: Since patented medications cannot be sold except under
license from the patentee, medication which is still
under patent is not typically sold as a {generic drug},
i.e., sold under its generic name, though it can be
referred to by its generic name.
[PJC]