general-purpose vs general

general-purpose is not a noun while general is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
general-purpose	No	Yes	No	No
general	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

general-purpose (noun)	general (noun)
	a fact about the whole (as opposed to particular)
	a general officer of the highest rank
	the head of a religious order or congregation

general-purpose (adjective)	general (adjective)
not limited in use or function	applying to all or most members of a category or group
	affecting the entire body
	prevailing among and common to the general public
	of worldwide scope or applicability
	somewhat indefinite
	not specialized or limited to one class of things

general-purpose (verb)	general (verb)
	command as a general