generalize Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb draw from specific cases for more general cases
extrapolate; infer; generalise.
verb speak or write in generalities
generalise.
verb cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the general public; bring into general or common use
popularise; vulgarise; generalise; vulgarize; popularize.
- They popularized coffee in Washington State
- Relativity Theory was vulgarized by these authors
verb become systemic and spread throughout the body
generalise.
- this kind of infection generalizes throughout the immune system

Cf. F. généraliser.

imperfect & past participle Generalized ; present participle & verbal noun Generalizing

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. W. Nicholson.
To apply to other genera or classes; to use with a more extensive application; 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 quited, and we consider the generality itself as tantamount to an explanation. Sir W. Hamilton.
To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars.
A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts. Coleridge.

To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.