generalize

American  

[jen-er-uh-lahyz] / ˈdʒɛn ər əˌlaɪz /

especially British, generalise

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of generalize

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

Example Sentences

It is worth repeating that the past behavior of markets does not show what markets will do in the future, let alone what markets “do” in some kind of generalized eternal present.

From MarketWatch

Mormann adds: "The ability of these neuronal groups to link spontaneously allows us to generalize information while preserving the specific details of individual events."

From Science Daily

For users who don’t plug in their personal data, the tool can provide more generalized answers.

From The Wall Street Journal

He noted that the findings should not be generalized to healthy individuals or to other groups of patients.

From Science Daily

If this were a one-off event, we would want to avoid generalizing.

From MarketWatch