intellectualize
[in-tl-ek-choo-uh-lahyz]
- to seek or consider the rational content or form of.
- to make intellectual.
- to analyze (something) intellectually or rationally.
- to ignore the emotional or psychological significance of (an action, feeling, dream, etc.) by an excessively intellectual or abstract explanation.
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- to talk or write intellectually; reason; philosophize: to intellectualize about world problems.
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Also especially British, in·tel·lec·tu·al·ise.
Origin of intellectualize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for intellectualization
Contemporary Examples
No amount of theorizing or intellectualization can get around the impact of that change.
intellectualize
intellectualise
- to make or become intellectual
- (tr) to treat or consider in an intellectual way; rationalize
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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 intellectualization
n.
1821, noun of action from intellectualize.
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intellectualize
v.
1819, from intellectual + -ize. Related: Intellectualized; intellectualizing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
intellectualization
(ĭn′tl-ĕk′chōō-ə-lĭ-zā′shən)- The act or process of intellectualizing.
- An unconscious means of protecting oneself from the emotional stress and anxiety associated with confronting painful personal fears or problems by excessive reasoning.
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intellectualize
(ĭn′tl-ĕk′chōō-ə-līz′)- To furnish a rational structure or meaning for.
- To engage in intellectualization.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.