Moralizing

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Moralize \Mor"al*ize\ (m[o^]r"al*[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
     {Moralized} (m[o^]r"al*[imac]zd); p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Moralizing} (m[o^]r"al*[imac]*z[i^]ng).] [Cf. F. moraliser.]
     1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense;
        to draw a moral from.
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              This fable is moralized in a common proverb.
                                                    --L'Estrange.
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              Did he not moralize this spectacle?   --Shak.
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     2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to
        lend a moral to.
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              While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed
              By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road. --Wordsworth.
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     3. To render moral; to correct the morals of.
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              It had a large share in moralizing the poor white
              people of the country.                --D. Ramsay.
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     4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality
        of, either for better or worse.
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              Good and bad stars moralize not our actions. --Sir
                                                    T. Browne.
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From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  moralizing
       n : indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often
           superficially) of a particular moral code; "his constant
           moralizing drove me mad" [syn: {moralization}, {moralisation}]