die Allgemeinheit
Translation
the general public, the community, generality, universality
Examples
Das Gesetz dient der Allgemeinheit.
The law serves the general public.
Die Allgemeinheit seiner Aussage wurde kritisiert.
The generality of his statement was criticized.
Grammar Patterns
for the good of the general public (Genitive) Das Projekt ist zum Wohle der Allgemeinheit.
to serve the general public (Dative) Diese Einrichtung dient der Allgemeinheit.
Similar Words
Synonyms: Öffentlichkeit (the public), Gesellschaft (society); Antonyms: Einzelperson (individual), Spezifität (specificity)
Etymology
From 'allgemein' (general) + '-heit' (a suffix forming abstract nouns, like -ness or -hood). Literally 'general-ness'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'all gemein' as 'common to all'. The '-heit' suffix turns this into the concept of 'the community of all' or 'the state of being common'.