[W/K] :: generalization

  Generalization \Gen`er*al*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
     g['e]n['e]ralisation.]
     [1913 Webster]
     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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Generalization is only the apprehension of the one
              in the many.                          --Sir W.
                                                    Hamilton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A general inference.
        [1913 Webster]

  generalization
       n 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]

  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