For whom war is, broadly speaking, total? (7)

I believe the answer is:

general

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'total?' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for general that I've seen before include "Opposite of private!" , "Rank; normal, usual" , "Officer of the highest rank" , "Normal; military rank" , "position" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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