Gĕn'er-al-īze1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. GENERALIZED; p. pr. & vb. n. GENERALIZING.] [Fr. généraliser, Sp. generalizar.]
Sense 1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in relation to a genus or to genera.
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. Nicholson.
Sense 2. To apply to other classes or genera; to use with a more extensive application; to apply to other individuals or single objects; to extend so as to include all special cases; to make universal in application, as a formula or rule.
When a fact is generalized, our discontent is quieted, and we consider the generality itself as tantamount to an explanation. Sir W. Hamilton.
Sense 3. To derive, as a genus, or as a general conception, or general principle.
A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts. Coleridge.