GENERALIZE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Generalize

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/dʒˈɛnərəlˌaɪz/ Listen

verb

generalize v. t. (past & past part. generalized; pres. part. generalizing) (Also spelled generalise)

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."

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."

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

Synonyms: generalize, extrapolate, infer. "A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts."

To speak in generalities; to talk in abstract terms.

Synonyms: generalise, speak generally.

Generalize v. i. To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.

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Etymology of 'Generalize'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Generalize" Quotes from Famous Books

... have ever risen. If our legislators had introduced into their codes the principle of distributive justice which governs printing-offices; if they had observed the popular instincts,—not for the sake of servile imitation, but in order to reform and generalize them,—long ere this liberty and equality would have been established on an immovable basis, and we should not now be disputing about the right of property and the ...

— What is Property? - An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and of Government • P. J. Proudhon

... personal pronouns are not used indiscriminately, but the examples of their use which I collected are too few to generalize upon. However, ngatu and the three next under it, appear to be used only with a certain class of verbs of which an example is afforded by the sentence ngatu nudu matumina I struck him; and the use of the second set of these pronouns is illustrated ...

— Voyage Of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Vol. 2 (of 2) • John MacGillivray

... to the purposes of instruction, if we generalize this subject, by briefly stating a few of the most usual causes of apostacy from God; some of which are strictly applicable to the ...

— Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I • Francis Augustus Cox

... Drummond, in the role of his other self, came to experience genuine outrage, and it was only when he returned to the classic atmosphere of the university that he was able, sanely and conservatively, to generalize upon his underworld experiences and put them down on paper as a trained sociologist should. That Bill Totts lacked the perspective to raise him above class-consciousness Freddie Drummond clearly saw. But Bill Totts could not see it. When he saw a scab taking his job ...

— The Strength of the Strong • Jack London

... below on the plain a thousand things would come between to intercept. But there was some morbidness about it too. Disappointment, in two or three instances, where he had given his full confidence and been obliged to take it back, had quickened him to generalize unfavourably upon human character, both in the mass and in individuals. And a restless dissatisfaction with himself and the world did not tend to a healthy view of things. Yet, truth was at the bottom; truth rarely arrived at without the help of revelation. ...

— Queechy, Volume I • Elizabeth Wetherell

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