The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Generalize \Gen"er*al*ize\, v. i.
   To form into a genus; to view objects in their relations to a
   genus or class; to take general or comprehensive views.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

generalize \gen"er*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Generalized;
   p. pr. & vb. n. Generalizing.] [Cf. F. g['e]n['e]raliser.]
   [Also spelled generalise.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. To bring under a genus or under genera; to view in
      relation to a genus or to genera.
      [1913 Webster]

            Copernicus generalized the celestial motions by
            merely referring them to the moon's motion. Newton
            generalized them still more by referring this last
            to the motion of a stone through the air. --W.
                                                  Nicholson.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To apply to other genera or classes; to use with a more
      extensive application; to extend so as to include all
      special cases; to make universal in application, as a
      formula or rule.
      [1913 Webster]

            When a fact is generalized, our discontent is
            quited, and we consider the generality itself as
            tantamount to an explanation.         --Sir W.
                                                  Hamilton.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general
      principle) from particulars. [WordNet sense 2]

   Syn: generalize, extrapolate, infer.
        [1913 Webster]

              A mere conclusion generalized from a great
              multitude of facts.                 --Coleridge.
        [1913 Webster]

   4. To speak in generalities; to talk in abstract terms.
      [WordNet sense 1]

   Syn: generalise, speak generally.
        [WordNet 1.5]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

generalize
    v 1: draw from specific cases for more general cases [syn:
         generalize, generalise, extrapolate, infer]
    2: speak or write in generalities [syn: generalize,
       generalise] [ant: particularise, particularize,
       specialise, specialize, specify]
    3: cater to popular taste to make popular and present to the
       general public; bring into general or common use; "They
       popularized coffee in Washington State"; "Relativity Theory
       was vulgarized by these authors" [syn: popularize,
       popularise, vulgarize, vulgarise, generalize,
       generalise]
    4: become systemic and spread throughout the body; "this kind of
       infection generalizes throughout the immune system" [syn:
       generalize, generalise]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "generalize":
   analyze, apply reason, broaden, deal in generalities, deduce,
   ecumenicize, expand, extend, globalize, hypothesize, infer,
   intellectualize, logicalize, logicize, make a generalization,
   philosophize, provide a rationale, rationalize, reason, spread,
   syllogize, synthesize, theorize, universalize, use reason, widen