Definitions for: Generalize


[v] become systemic; spread throughout the body; of diseases and infections
[v] cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the general public; bring into general or common use; "They popularized coffee in Washington State"; "Relativity Theory was vulgarized by these authors"
[v] draw from specific cases for more general cases
[v] speak or write in generalities



Webster (1913) Definition: Gen"er*al*ize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Generalized;
p. pr. & vb. n. Generalizing.] [Cf. F. g['e]n['e]raliser.]
1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in
relation to a genus or to genera.

Copernicus generalized the celestial motions by
merely referring them to the moon's motion. Newton
generalized them still more by referring this last
to the motion of a stone through the air. --W.
Nicholson.

2. To apply to other genera or classes; to use with a more
extensive application; to extend so as to include all
special cases; to make universal in application, as a
formula or rule.

When a fact is generalized, our discontent is
quited, and we consider the generality itself as
tantamount to an explanation. --Sir W.
Hamilton.

3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general
principle) from particulars.

A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude
of facts. --Coleridge.


Gen"er*al*ize, v. i.
To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a
genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.

Synonyms: extrapolate, generalise, generalise, infer, popularise, popularize, vulgarise, vulgarize

Antonyms: particularise, particularize, specialise, specialize, specify

See Also: broadcast, circularise, circularize, circulate, conclude, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, distribute, distribute, mouth, overgeneralise, overgeneralize, pass around, propagate, reason, reason out, speak, spread, spread, talk, universalise, universalize, utter, verbalise, verbalize

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