WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

quantize
    v 1: approximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by
         one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of
         discrete values [syn: quantize, quantise]
    2: apply quantum theory to; restrict the number of possible
       values of (a quantity) or states of (a physical entity or
       system) so that certain variables can assume only certain
       discrete magnitudes that are integral multiples of a common
       factor; "Quantize gravity" [syn: quantize, quantise]