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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of generalize¹

First recorded in 1745–55; general + -ize

Example Sentences

It requires a model capable of generalizing or learning to reason, rather than pattern matching.

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"People miss information when they follow an algorithm, but they think what they do know generalizes to other features and other parts of the environment that they've never experienced," Turner said.

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

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

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

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