generalize

[ jen-er-uh-lahyz ]

/ ˈdʒɛn ər əˌlaɪz /

verb (used with object), gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.

to infer (a general principle, trend, etc.) from particular facts, statistics, or the like.

to infer or form (a general principle, opinion, conclusion, etc.) from only a few facts, examples, or the like.

to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.

to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.

verb (used without object), gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.

to form general principles, opinions, etc.

to deal, think, or speak in generalities.

to make general inferences.

Nearby words

generalise, generalissimo, generalist, generality, generalization, generalize, generalized, generalized anaphylaxis, generalized anxiety disorder, generalized coordinate, generalized cortical hyperostosis

Also especially British, gen·er·al·ise.

Origin of generalize

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

Related forms

gen·er·al·iz·a·ble, adjectivegen·er·al·iz·er, nounnon·gen·er·al·ized, adjectiveun·gen·er·al·ized, adjective

un·gen·er·al·iz·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for generalise

Psychology puts us in direct contact with it, and metaphysics attempt to generalise this contact.
A New Philosophy: Henri Bergson|Edouard le Roy
In his novels this tendency to generalise has almost a distracting effect.
Main Currents in Nineteenth Century Literature - 5. The Romantic School in France|Georg Brandes
This is a small book in which to treat of so large a subject, and to avoid prolixity I have had to generalise.
Cocoa and Chocolate|Arthur W. Knapp
Men of sordid and venal characters always rejoice to generalise so convenient a maxim as the non-existence of public virtue.
Constitutional History of England, volume 3 of 3|Henry Hallam

The same day the delegates from the neighbouring Communes arrived, and Digeon set to work to generalise the movement.
History of the Commune of 1871|P. Lissagary

British Dictionary definitions for generalise

generalize

generalise

/ (ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz) /

verb

to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer

(intr) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way

(tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known

(intr) (of a disease)

to spread throughout the body
to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic onegeneralized infection

Derived Formsgeneralizer or generaliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for generalise

generalize

1751, probably a new formation from general (adj.) + -ize. Middle English had generalisen (early 15c.). Related: Generalizable; generalized; generalizing.

Medicine definitions for generalise

generalize

[ jĕn′ər-ə-līz′ ]

v.

To reduce to a general form, class, or law.

To render indefinite or unspecific.

To infer from many particulars.

To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.

To make generally or universally applicable.