General idea

The answer to the crossword question “General idea is GIST” is the word “essence.” The clue provides a definition for the word “gist” which means the essential part or main point of something. Therefore, the answer “essence” fits the clue as it is a synonym conveying a similar meaning. Overall, the crossword question is asking for a word that defines the fundamental concept or key point of something, which can be answered with the word “essence.”