Generalize

4 definitions found

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

  generalize \gen"er*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Generalized};
     p. pr. & vb. n. {Generalizing}.] [Cf. F. g['e]n['e]raliser.]
     [Also spelled {generalise}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in
        relation to a genus or to genera.


        [1913 Webster]
  
              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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              When a fact is generalized, our discontent is
              quited, and we consider the generality itself as
              tantamount to an explanation.         --Sir W.
                                                    Hamilton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general
        principle) from particulars. [WordNet sense 2]
  
     Syn: generalize, extrapolate, infer.
          [1913 Webster]
  
                A mere conclusion generalized from a great
                multitude of facts.                 --Coleridge.
          [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To speak in generalities; to talk in abstract terms.
        [WordNet sense 1]
  
     Syn: generalise, speak generally.
          [WordNet 1.5]

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

  Generalize \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.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  generalize
       v 1: draw from specific cases for more general cases [syn: {generalise},
             {extrapolate}, {infer}]
       2: speak or write in generalities [syn: {generalise}] [ant: {specify}]
       3: 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" [syn: {popularize},
           {popularise}, {vulgarize}, {vulgarise}, {generalise}]
       4: become systemic and spread throughout the body; "this kind
          of infection generalizes throughout the immune system"
          [syn: {generalise}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  26 Moby Thesaurus words for "generalize":
     analyze, apply reason, broaden, deal in generalities, deduce,
     ecumenicize, expand, extend, globalize, hypothesize, infer,
     intellectualize, logicalize, logicize, make a generalization,
     philosophize, provide a rationale, rationalize, reason, spread,
     syllogize, synthesize, theorize, universalize, use reason, widen