-generaliz-

n. [ Cf. F. généralisation. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The act or process of generalizing; the act of bringing individuals or particulars under a genus or class; deduction of a general principle from particulars. [ 1913 Webster ]

Generalization is only the apprehension of the one in the many. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A general inference. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Generalized p. pr. & vb. n. Generalizing ] [ Cf. F. généraliser. ] [ Also spelled generalise. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in relation to a genus or to genera. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

When a fact is generalized, our discontent is quited, and we consider the generality itself as tantamount to an explanation. Sir W. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars. [ wns=2 ]
Syn. -- generalize, extrapolate, infer. [ 1913 Webster ]

A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To speak in generalities; to talk in abstract terms. [ wns=1 ]
Syn. -- generalise, speak generally. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. (Zool.) Comprising structural characters which are separated in more specialized forms; synthetic; as, a generalized type. [ 1913 Webster ]