generalize
VerbWordNet 3.0
Verb (4)
- draw from specific cases for more general casesSynonyms: generaliseextrapolateinfer
- speak or write in generalitiesSynonyms: generalise
- 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”Synonyms: popularizepopularisevulgarizevulgarisegeneralise
- become systemic and spread throughout the body“this kind of infection generalizes throughout the immune system”Synonyms: generalise
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Cf. F. généraliser.
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.— William 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 William Hamilton
3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars. [wns=2] Syn. — generalize, extrapolate, infer.
A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.— Samuel T. Coleridge
4. To speak in generalities; to talk in abstract terms. [wns=1] Syn. — generalise, speak generally.
To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: WordNet 1.5