externalize

ex·ter·nal·ize   (ĭk-stûr'nə-līz')    tr.v.   ex·ter·nal·ized, ex·ter·nal·iz·ing, ex·ter·nal·iz·es To make external. To manifest externally: "Marriage is a nice way to externalize the private commitments made between you" (Patti Davis). To attribute to outside causes. To project or attribute (inner conflicts or feelings) to external circumstances or causes. ex·ter'nal·i·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n.

Main Entry: ex·ter·nal·ize
Variant: or British ex·ter·nal·ise /ek-'st&rn-^&l-"Iz/
Function:transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -ized or British -ised; -iz·ing or British -is·ing
1 a : to transform from amental image into an apparently real object (as in hallucinations) : attribute (a mental image) to external causation <externalizing an obsession> b : to inventan explanation for (an inner problem whose actual basis is known only subconsciously) by attributing to causes outside the self : RATIONALIZE, PROJECT <externalized his inability to succeed>
2 : todirect outward socially <externalized her anger> —ex·ter·nal·iza·tion or British ex·ter·nal·isa·tion /-"st&rn-^&l-&-'zA-sh&n/ noun