Library / English Dictionary

GENERALIZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Become systemic and spread throughout the body

Example:

this kind of infection generalizes throughout the immune system

Synonyms:

generalise; generalize

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Hypernyms (to "generalize" is one way to...):

distribute; spread (distribute or disperse widely)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 2

Meaning:

Cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the general public; bring into general or common use

Example:

Relativity Theory was vulgarized by these authors

Synonyms:

generalise; generalize; popularise; popularize; vulgarise; vulgarize

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "generalize" is one way to...):

broadcast; circularise; circularize; circulate; diffuse; disperse; disseminate; distribute; pass around; propagate; spread (cause to become widely known)

Verb group:

popularise; popularize (make understandable to the general public)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Draw from specific cases for more general cases

Synonyms:

extrapolate; generalise; generalize; infer

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "generalize" is one way to...):

conclude; reason; reason out (decide by reasoning; draw or come to a conclusion)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "generalize"):

overgeneralise; overgeneralize (draw too general a conclusion)

universalise; universalize (make universal)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

generalization ((psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus)

generalization (reasoning from detailed facts to general principles)

generalization (the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Speak or write in generalities

Synonyms:

generalise; generalize

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "generalize" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue generalize

Antonym:

specify (be specific about)

Derivation:

generalization (an idea or conclusion having general application)

Credits

 Context examples: 

A disorder characterized by a state of generalized weakness with a pronounced inability to summon sufficient energy to accomplish daily activities.

(Fatigue, NCI Thesaurus/CTCAE)

Disruption of the bgn gene results in reduced skeletal growth and bone mass leading to generalized osteopenia, particularly in older animals.

(Function of SLRP in Bone Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The symbol for the linear predictor of a generalized linear model, and can also be used to denote the median of a population.

(Eta, NCI Thesaurus)

Point mutations in the ERBA2 gene are associated with generalized resistance to thyroid hormone.

(Oncogene ERB A, NCI Thesaurus)

It is characterized by discrete, firm, skin-colored, and slightly elevated cutaneous papules, nodules or plaques that may be generalized, or found on the trunk and the extremities.

(Eruptive Collagenoma, NCI Thesaurus)

It may be localized or generalized.

(Myokymia, NCI Thesaurus)

A childhood seizure disorder characterized by rhythmic electrical brain discharges of generalized onset.

(Petit Mal Epilepsy, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Generalized Anxiety Disorder - 7 test code.

(CDISC Questionnaire GAD-7 Test Code Terminology, NCI Thesaurus/CDISC)

The results cannot be generalized to soccer players who are teenagers, children or professional players.

(Soccer Players: More Headers, More Concussions, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

It appears to reduce compulsive alcohol drinking without a generalized effect on motivation.

(New study identifies gene variant linked to compulsive drinking, NIH)