generalize

[jen-er-uh-lahyz]

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.

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

Origin of generalize

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

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

Historical Examples of generalise

While perhaps to generalise these delights, a trundled organ tossed a ragtime.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus
I look at a strong tendency to generalise as an entire evil.
More Letters of Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
The universal man is no specialist, and has to generalise without his details.
Tracks of a Rolling Stone
Henry J. Coke
A city can often generalise where a nation must particularise.
The Social Contract & Discourses
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
It is so terribly easy to generalise from inadequate experience.
Chats on Angling
H. V. Hart-Davis

British Dictionary definitions for generalise

generalize

generalise

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.

generalise in Medicine

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.