General assistants set aside (5)

I believe the answer is:

aides

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'general assistants' is the definition.
'aides' can be an answer for 'assistants' (aide is a kind of assistant). I am unsure of the 'general' bit.

'set aside' is the wordplay.
'set' indicates anagramming the letters (instruction to set the letters).
'aside' anagrammed gives 'AIDES'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for aides that I've seen before include "Adjutants" , "They help" , "Confidential assistants" , "Ministerial assistants" , "Right-hand men" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app