The fall is general in a way (5)
I believe the answer is:
sleet
'the fall' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.
'general in a way' is the wordplay.
'general' becomes 'Lee' (Robert E. Lee - US revolutionary commander).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'a way' becomes 'st' (abbreviation for street).
'lee' inserted into 'st' is 'SLEET'.
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for sleet that I've seen before include "Rain/ice mix" , "Freezing rain" , "Partly melted falling snow or hail" , "Partly frozen rain" , "Icy rain" .)