generalize — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To speak in generalities, or in vague terms.

2. To infer or induce from specific cases to more general cases or principles.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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.

   Examples

   A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.

Verb

1. draw from specific cases for more general cases

   Synonyms

   generaliseextrapolateinfer

   Broader terms

   reasonreason outconclude

2. speak or write in generalities

   Synonyms

   generalise

   Antonyms

   specify

   Broader terms

   talkspeakuttermouthverbalizeverbalise

3. cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the general public; bring into general or common use

   Synonyms

   popularizepopularisevulgarizevulgarisegeneralise

   Broader terms

   circulatecircularizecircularisedistributedisseminatepropagatebroadcastspreaddiffusedispersepass around

   Examples

   They popularized coffee in Washington State

   Relativity Theory was vulgarized by these authors

4. become systemic and spread throughout the body

   Synonyms

   generalise

   Broader terms

   spreaddistribute

   Examples

   this kind of infection generalizes throughout the immune system