generalize

[jen-er-uh-lahyz] /ˈdʒɛn ər əˌlaɪz/
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.
5.
to form general principles, opinions, etc.
6.
to deal, think, or speak in generalities.
7.
to make general inferences.
Also, especially British, generalise.
Origin
1745-55; general + -ize
Related forms
generalizable, adjective
generalizer, noun
nongeneralized, adjective
ungeneralized, adjective
ungeneralizing, adjective
Examples from the web for generalize
  • Secondly, it is dangerous to generalize from a small number of selected languages.
  • It is his particular business to generalize as far as he can.
  • In the process, students will generalize on how ideas change and adapt as they travel from one place to another.
  • So arguably the study's results are more likely to generalize to similar districts.
  • It's easy as pie to generalize to millions of people the crimes of a few.
  • Tough as it is to generalize about all that, certain themes do emerge.
  • Parents who generalize from the apparent contentedness of their own children are indulging a dangerous fallacy.
  • Yes, start thinking about specific reforms and stop trying to generalize about what stage of world history we're in.
  • Most of the suicide bombers say as much themselves, but it is impossible to generalize about them.
  • Physicians can only generalize according to the statistics presented to them.
British Dictionary definitions for generalize

generalize

/ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz/
verb
1.
to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer
2.
(intransitive) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way
3.
(transitive; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known
4.
(intransitive) (of a disease)
  1. to spread throughout the body
  2. to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic one: generalized infection
Derived Forms
generalizer, generaliser, noun
Word Origin and History for generalize
v.

1751, probably a new formation from general (adj.) + -ize. Middle English had generalisen (early 15c.). Related: Generalizable; generalized; generalizing.

generalize in Medicine

generalize gen·er·al·ize (jěn'ər-ə-līz')
v. gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing, gen·er·al·iz·es

  1. To reduce to a general form, class, or law.

  2. To render indefinite or unspecific.

  3. To infer from many particulars.

  4. To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.

  5. To make generally or universally applicable.