generalization
UK: ˌdʒenrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn | US: ˌdʒenrəlaɪˈzeɪʃn
n. the act or process of generalizing; forming a general conclusion from specific instances
n. a broad statement or idea applied to a group or category, often oversimplifying differences
n. (mathematics/logic) the process of extending a concept to a wider scope
The word traces back to Latin generalis, which emphasized inclusivity ("of a whole kind"). The suffix -ization was later added in English (16th century) to formalize the concept of "making something general." The term evolved to describe both scientific reasoning (deriving broad principles) and everyday oversimplifications.
The study's conclusion was a sweeping generalization about human behavior.
In mathematics, generalization extends a theorem to broader cases.
Avoid generalization when discussing cultural traditions—each community is unique.
Her argument relied on hasty generalization from limited data.
The professor emphasized the importance of generalization in statistical analysis.