Final answer:
A general document is a document that is not specific to any particular topic or purpose. It provides broad information or serves a general audience.
Step-by-step explanation:
A general document, regardless of its physical characteristics, refers to a document that is not specific to any particular topic or purpose. It is a document that provides broad information or serves a general audience.
For example, a newspaper article reporting on current events can be considered a general document because it covers a wide range of topics and is meant for a general readership. Similarly, a textbook that provides an overview of a subject without going into specialized details is also a general document.
The time period and circumstances of a general document's creation may vary depending on the specific document. It could be created during a time of peace or war, a social or economic crisis, or any other significant event or context that might influence the content of the document.