Normalize vs Generalize - What's the difference?
normalize | generalize |
To make normal, to make standard.
To format in a standardized manner, to make consistent.
(statistics) To reduce to variations by excluding irrelevant aspects.
(rail transport) To return a set of points (switches) to the normal position.
(rail transport, intransitive, of points) To return to the normal position from the reverse position.
(transitive, computing, database) To subject to normalization; to eliminate redundancy in (a model for storing data).
(mathematics) To divide a vector by its magnitude to produce a unit vector.
To speak in generalities, or in vague terms.
To infer or induce from specific cases to more general cases or principles.
* W. Nicholson
To spread throughout the body and become systemic.
To derive or deduce (a general conception, or a general principle) from particulars.
* Coleridge
As verbs the difference between normalize and generalize
is that normalize is to make normal, to make standard while generalize is to speak in generalities, or in vague terms.normalize
English
Alternative forms
* normalise (UK)Verb
- There is little hope that the two countries will normalize relations; their governments seem to hate each other and would just as soon stay on bad terms.
- We'll need to normalize these statements before we can compare them.
- After we properly normalize the measurements with respect to age, gender, geography and economic considerations, there remains little evidence of a difference between the two groups.
Antonyms
* (rail transport) reverse (transitive and intransitive)generalize
English
Alternative forms
* generalise (non-Oxford British spelling)Verb
(en-verb)- 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.
- A mere conclusion generalized from a great multitude of facts.