Rē'al-ize1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. REALIZED; p. pr. & vb. n. REALIZING.] [Fr. réaliser, Sp. realizar, It. realizzare.]
Sense 1. To make real; to convert from imaginary or fictitious into actual; to bring into concrete existence; to effectuate; to accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project.
We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis, weighing a single grain of sand against the globe of earth. Granville.
Sense 2. To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual; to feel vividly or strongly; to make one’s own in apprehension or experience.
This allusion must have had enhanced strength and beauty to the eye of a nation extensively devoted to a pastoral life, and therefore realizing all its fine scenes, and the tender emotions to which they gave birth. Dwight.
We can not realize it in thought, that the object had really no being at any past moment. Sir W. Hamilton.
Sense 3. To convert into real property; to make real estate of.
Sense 4. To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get.
The dignity of knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who could by diligent thrift realize a good estate. Macaulay.