Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Generalize \Gen"er*al*ize\, v. i.
   To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a
   genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.

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.

Source : WordNet®

generalize
     v 1: draw from specific cases for more general cases [syn: {generalise},
           {extrapolate}, {infer}]
     2: speak or write in generalities [syn: {generalise}] [ant: {specify}]
     3: cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the
        general public; bring into general or common use; "They
        popularized coffee in Washington State"; "Relativity
        Theory was vulgarized by these authors" [syn: {popularize},
         {popularise}, {vulgarize}, {vulgarise}, {generalise}]
     4: become systemic and spread throughout the body; "this kind
        of infection generalizes throughout the immune system"
        [syn: {generalise}]