Universalize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To broaden an idea so that it is relevant to every individual or circumstance
2. To expand a concept so it applies to all contexts or individuals without exception
3. To adapt or extend an idea so it is valid in every situation or for every person

Etymology: "Universalize" is a plain formation: the adjective "universal" with the suffix "-ize," which turns an adjective into a verb meaning "make or become" something. The suffix has a long road into English. It comes from Ancient Greek "-ízein," which was borrowed into Late Latin as "-izare," passed into Middle French as "-iser," and reached Middle English as "-isen." English spelled it "-ize" later, and that spelling is why the verb looks the way it does. The "universal" half reaches back to Latin "universalis," from "universus," meaning "whole" or "all together," built from "unus" ("one") and "versus" ("turned"). So the word's root image is things turned into one whole. "Universalize" thus means to turn something into a thing that applies to all. Its meaning is literal in the suffix: to make a particular thing general, so that a rule or claim covers everyone.

Synonyms: generalize, standardize, normalize, widespread, broaden

Antonyms: specialize, individualize, restrict, limit, narrow