Hypertext Webster Gateway: "generalizing"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Generalize \Gen"er*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Generalized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Generalizing}.] [Cf. F. g['e]n['e]raliser.]
1. 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.

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.

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

3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general
principle) from particulars.

A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude
of facts. --Coleridge.


Additional Hypertext Webster Gateway Lookup

Enter word here:
Exact Approx


dict.stokkie.net
Gateway by dict@stokkie.net
stock only wrote the gateway and does not have any control over the contents; see the Webster Gateway FAQ, and also the Back-end/database links and credits.