noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb
The ordinary modern sense: the whole of something, or something considered as a whole. Common as a noun, before の, and in adverbial phrases such as 全体として.
計画全体をもう一度見直そう。
Let's review the whole plan once more.
The entire building shook violently.
全体としては、結果は悪くない。
Overall, the results are not bad.
adverb
to begin with; in the first place
A sentence adverb used to step back to the basic premise of an argument. This use is old-fashioned or literary; in ordinary modern speech, そもそも is more common.
全体、この案には予算の裏付けがない。
To begin with, this proposal has no budgetary backing.
adverb
what on earth; why in the world; the heck
An emphatic adverb used with questions, similar to 一体 or 一体全体. As standalone 全体 in this role, it sounds old-fashioned, literary, or somewhat theatrical in modern Japanese.
See also: 一体全体 (いったいぜんたい)
全体、君は何をしているんだ。
What on earth are you doing?
全体、誰がそんなことを言ったんだ。
Who in the world said such a thing?