generalize

• generalise (non-Oxford British spelling)

general +‎ -ize

• (Received Pronunciation, General American, Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɛn.(ə.)ɹə.laɪz/

  • Audio (Southern England)

    (file)

• (General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒen.(ə.)ɹə.lɑɪz/

generalize (third-person singular simple present generalizes, present participle generalizing, simple past and past participle generalized)

1. To speak in generalities, or in vague terms.
2. To infer or induce from specific cases to more general cases or principles.
   • 1795, William Nicholson, A Dictionary of Chemistry:

     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.

3. To spread throughout the body and become systemic.
4. To derive or deduce (a general concept or principle) from particular facts.
   • August 24, 1831, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Truth and Maxims:

     A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.

• (speak in generalities): See also Thesaurus:generalize

• (antonym(s) of “speak in generalities”): See also Thesaurus:specify
• (antonym(s) of “infer from specific cases”): specialize, instantiate

• general

generalize

1. inflection of generalizar:
   1. first/third-person singular present subjunctive
   2. third-person singular imperative