Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Realize \Re"al*ize\, v. t.
   To convert any kind of property into money, especially
   property representing investments, as shares in stock
   companies, bonds, etc.

         Wary men took the alarm, and began to realize, a word
         now first brought into use to express the conversion of
         ideal property into something real.      --W. Irving.

Realize \Re"al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Realized}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Realizing}.] [Cf. F. r['e]aliser.]
   1. To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious
      into the actual; to bring into concrete existence; to
      accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project.

            We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis,
            weighting a single grain against the globe of earth.
                                                  --Glanvill.

   2. To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual;
      to feel vividly or strongly; to make one's own in
      apprehension or experience.

            Many coincidences . . . soon begin to appear in them
            [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history
            to us.                                --Jowett.

            We can not realize it in thought, that the object .
            . . had really no being at any past moment. --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.

   3. To convert into real property; to make real estate of; as,
      to realize his fortune.

   4. To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the
      result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get; as, to
      realize large profits from a speculation.

            Knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who
            could by diligent thrift realize a good estate.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   5. To convert into actual money; as, to realize assets.

Source : WordNet®

realize
     v 1: be fully aware or cognizant of [syn: {recognize}, {recognise},
           {realise}, {agnize}, {agnise}]
     2: perceive (an idea or situation) mentally; "Now I see!"; "I
        just can't see your point"; "Does she realize how
        important this decision is?"; "I don't understand the
        idea" [syn: {understand}, {realise}, {see}]
     3: make real or concrete; give reality or substance to; "our
        ideas must be substantiated into actions" [syn: {realise},
         {actualize}, {actualise}, {substantiate}]
     4: earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as
        salary or wages; "How much do you make a month in your new
        job?"; "She earns a lot in her new job"; "this merger
        brought in lots of money"; "He clears $5,000 each month"
        [syn: {gain}, {take in}, {clear}, {make}, {earn}, {realise},
         {pull in}, {bring in}]
     5: convert into cash; of goods and property [syn: {realise}]
     6: expand or complete (a thorough-based part in a piece of
        baroque music) by supplying the harmonies indicated in the
        figured bass [syn: {realise}]