generalize

especially British, gen·er·al·ise

[jen-er-uh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

generalized, generalizing 

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

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

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

4. to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.

verb (used without object)

generalized, generalizing 

1. to form general principles, opinions, etc.

2. to deal, think, or speak in generalities.

3. to make general inferences.

generalize

/ ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz /

verb

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

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

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

4. (intr)

   1. to spread throughout the body

   2. to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic one

      generalized infection

Other Word Forms

• generalizable adjective
• generalizer noun
• nongeneralized adjective
• ungeneralized adjective
• ungeneralizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of generalize¹

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

Example Sentences

This hybrid phase is called a generalized Wigner crystal, and the team's findings appear in npj Quantum Materials, a Nature publication.

Read more on Science Daily

From a diagnostic standpoint, it overlaps with obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and trauma-related syndromes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"The same neural signature -- reward up, control down under rivalry -- likely generalizes beyond sport to political and sectarian conflicts."

Read more on Science Daily

He found that Mirai did, outperforming traditional models while also generalizing better to minority patients.

Read more on MarketWatch

That's quite significant and enough to reclassify moderate generalized anxiety disorder as mild in some cases.

Read more on Science Daily