Definition of generalize verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
generalize
verb
/ˈdʒɛnərəˌlaɪz; ˈdʒɛnrəˌlaɪz/
1[intransitive]generalize (from something)to use a particular set of facts or ideas in order to form an opinion that is considered valid for a different situationIt would be foolish to generalize from a single example.2[intransitive]generalize (about something)to make a general statement about something and not look at the detailsIt is dangerous to generalize about the poor.3[transitive, often passive]generalize something (to something) (formal) to apply a theory, idea, etc. to a wider group or situation than the original oneThese conclusions cannot be generalized to the whole country.We are now in a position to generalize the lessons we have learned.
