1. The process of formulating general concepts by abstracting common properties of instances
   "The scientist's generalisation of patterns from the data led to a breakthrough";
   - abstraction, generalization
    
2. Reasoning from detailed facts to general principles
   "Scientists use generalisation when forming hypotheses based on observed data";
   - generalization, induction, inductive reasoning
    
3. An idea or conclusion having general application
   "he spoke in broad generalisations";
   - generalization, generality
    
4. (psychology) transfer of a response learned to one stimulus to a similar stimulus
   "The child's fear of dogs showed stimulus generalisation to other furry animals";
   - generalization, stimulus generalization, stimulus generalisation [Brit]

Derived forms: generalisations

Type of: carry-over, colligation, idea, theorisation [Brit], theorization, thought, transfer, transfer of training

Encyclopedia: Generalisation