generalize
verbCA, US, UK /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹə.laɪz/ · AU /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹə.lɑez/
Etymology From general + -ize.
1
To speak in generalities, or in vague terms.
2
To infer or induce from specific cases to more general cases or principles.
- Copernicus generalized the celestial motions by merely referring them to the moon's motion. Newton generalized them still more by referring this last to the motion of a stone through the air.1795, William Nicholson, A Dictionary of Chemistry:
3
To spread throughout the body and become systemic.
4
To derive or deduce (a general concept or principle) from particular facts.
- A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.August 24, 1831, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Truth and Maxims:
- Synonyms
- generalize, genericize
- Antonyms
- specialize, instantiate, specify
- Derived terms
- degeneralize, generalist, generalizability, generalisability, generalizable, generalisable, generalization, generalisation, generalizer, generaliser, misgeneralize, overgeneralize, regeneralize, undergeneralize
- Related terms
- general