Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “generalization” come from?

Generalization derives from English general plus the English suffix -ize, from Middle French general and Latin generalis, formed from Latin genus meaning kind or type plus the Latin suffix -alis.

generalization (English): The formulation of general concepts from specific...

Definitions

  1. The formulation of general concepts from specific...

Ancestry of “generalization”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1English-izationA suffix forming nouns denoting the act, process,...
2English-ationAn action or process; The result of an action or...
3Middle English-aciounForms nouns denoting an action, act, or doing,...
4Old French-ation-ation
5Latin-ātiō—
6Latin-tiō—
7Latindissertātiō—
8Latindissertusarranged, disposed; explained
9Latindissereresecond-person singular future passive indicative...
10Latindis-asunder, apart, in two; reversal, removal;...
11Latincalceusshoe
12Latincalxlimestone; chalk; the finish line
13Ancient Greekχάλιξsmall stone, pebble; gravel, rubble

Words derived from “generalization”

  • overgeneralization
  • undergeneralization
Every word from Ancient Greek χάλιξ →