gen·er·al·ize

[jen-er-uh-lahyz] verb, gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing.
verb (used with object)
1.
to infer (a general principle, trend, etc.) from particular facts, statistics, or the like.
2.
to infer or form (a general principle, opinion, conclusion, etc.) from only a few facts, examples, or the like.
3.
to give a general rather than a specific or special character or form to.
4.
to make general; bring into general use or knowledge.
verb (used without object)
5.
to form general principles, opinions, etc.
6.
to deal, think, or speak in generalities.
7.
to make general inferences.
00:10
Generalize is a GRE word you need to know.
So is genteel. Does it mean:
characteristic of an entire class or species
belonging or suited to polite society.
Also, especially British, gen·er·al·ise.


Origin:
1745–55; general + -ize

gen·er·al·iz·a·ble, adjective
gen·er·al·iz·er, noun
non·gen·er·al·ized, adjective
un·gen·er·al·ized, adjective
un·gen·er·al·iz·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To generalize
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World English Dictionary
generalize or generalise (ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
1.  to form (general principles or conclusions) from (detailed facts, experience, etc); infer
2.  (intr) to think or speak in generalities, esp in a prejudiced way
3.  (tr; usually passive) to cause to become widely used or known
4.  (intr) of a disease
 a.  to spread throughout the body
 b.  to change from a localized infection or condition to a systemic one: generalized infection
 
generalise or generalise
 
vb
 
'generalizer or generalise
 
n
 
'generaliser or generalise
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

generalize gen·er·al·ize (jěn'ər-ə-līz')
v. gen·er·al·ized, gen·er·al·iz·ing, gen·er·al·iz·es

  1. To reduce to a general form, class, or law.

  2. To render indefinite or unspecific.

  3. To infer from many particulars.

  4. To draw inferences or a general conclusion from.

  5. To make generally or universally applicable.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Example sentences
It is important to remember not to generalize too broadly.
No fool, he knows how to generalize from one situation to the next.
Tough as it is to generalize about all that, certain themes do emerge.
My point is that there are many factors that enter into a hiring decision, and
  it is almost impossible to generalize.
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