3 definitions found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

generalization

noun

1: the process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances [syn: {abstraction}, {generalisation}]

2: reasoning from detailed facts to general principles [syn: {generalisation}, {induction}, {inductive reasoning}]

3: an idea having general application; "he spoke in broad generalities" [syn: {generalisation}, {generality}]

4: (psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus [syn: {generalisation}, {stimulus generalization}, {stimulus generalisation}]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:

Generalization \Gen'er*al*i*za"tion\, noun [Cf. F. g['e]n['e]ralisation.]

1. The act or process of generalizing; the act of bringing individuals or particulars under a genus or class; deduction of a general principle from particulars.

Generalization is only the apprehension of the one in the many. --Sir W. Hamilton.

2. A general inference.

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

42 Moby Thesaurus words for "generalization": Baconian method, a fortiori reasoning, a posteriori reasoning, a priori reasoning, abstraction, analysis, bromide, catholicity, cliche, commonplace, cosmopolitanism, deduction, deductive reasoning, ecumenicalism, ecumenicity, epagoge, general idea, generality, generalized proposition, glittering generality, globalism, globality, hackneyed expression, hypothesis and verification, inclusiveness, induction, inductive reasoning, inference, internationalism, lieu commun, locus communis, particularization, philosophical induction, platitude, sweeping statement, syllogism, syllogistic reasoning, synthesis, tired cliche, truism, universality, worldwideness

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