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As an example of this usage, here is a quote from a recent news item:

Attorneys general in 11 U.S. states filed suit Friday against President Joe Biden's administration, challenging a new vaccine requirement for workers at large companies.

11 states file suit against Biden COVID vaccine rule for private businesses

LostSoul
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  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attorney_general#Etymology – KillingTime Nov 11 '21 at 00:53
  • See State Attorney General's Office for the plural of the title. See Addressing Attorneys General for the use of General/Generals as one form of direct address. – DjinTonic Nov 11 '21 at 01:12
  • Are they fundamentally generals or are they attorneys? – Jim Nov 11 '21 at 01:17
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    When an adjective modifies a noun it usually comes directly before it: a big* elephant. When the noun is plural the adjective doesn't change: two big elephants. However, some adjectives in English come after* the nouns they modify. These are called "postpositive" adjectives: a poet laureate, *the president elect*. Another postpositive adjective is general in the sense used in the OP's example. Just like attributive adjectives, these do not inflect when the noun is plural: *these poets laureate*, *previous presidents elect*, *Attorneys general*** – Araucaria - Him Nov 11 '21 at 01:45
  • They are the highest rank (General) of a part of the legal system (hence Attorney) of a US state or the federal system. See the link in my comment above-- this goes back to the year 1393 (vicar general). This is the "rank" meaning of general and not the "non-specific" meaning as in general counsel (all legal matters) – DjinTonic Nov 11 '21 at 01:46
  • @Jim fundamentally attorneys. General is a postpositive adjective here. – Araucaria - Him Nov 11 '21 at 01:49
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    @Araucaria-Nothereanymore. -That was my point. :-) – Jim Nov 11 '21 at 01:50
  • @Jim Ah, I see! Ooops. – Araucaria - Him Nov 11 '21 at 01:51
  • In court in the US they are addressed as General and not Mr./Ms. – DjinTonic Nov 11 '21 at 02:06

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