individualize, v.
(ɪndɪˈvɪdjuːəlaɪz)
[f. individual + -ize.]
1. trans. To render individual or give an individual character to; to characterize by distinctive marks or qualities; to mark out or distinguish from other persons or things.
| 1637 Gillespie Eng. Pop. Cerem. iv. ii. 5 In morall actions, modus adjectus is principium individuationis, and nothing else doth individualize a morall action. 1805 N. Drake Ess. Tatler (L.), The peculiarities which individualize and distinguish the humour of Addison. 1834 L. Ritchie Wand. by Seine 61 Every element.. every class of objects recognisable by the senses, individualised into a god. 1835 J. H. Newman Par. Serm. (1837) III. xi. 162 The natural effect..of pain and fear, is to individualize us in our own minds. 1840 Milman Hist. Chr. III. 374 The Church stood, as it were, individualised, by the side of the other social impersonation, the State. 1851 Mansel Prolegom. Log. i. (1860) 25 To have a valid conception of a horse..I must also be able to combine these attributes in a representative image; that is, to individualize them. 1863 Mrs. C. Clarke Shaks. Char. i. 5 The inferior agents are individualised with a minuteness of surpassing truth to nature. |
| absol. a 1834 Coleridge in Fraser's Mag. (1835) XII. 494 Life, in the sense here meant..may be defined—‘tendency to individualise’. 1865 Lowell Scotch the Snake Prose Wks. 1890 V. 242 The more we can individualize and personify, the more lively our sympathy. |
2. To point out, mention, notice, or consider, individually; to specify, particularize. Also
absol.| 1656 S. H. Gold. Law 100 Many..men, worthy of honour, which I may not individualize. 1807 Ann. Reg. 251 Without individualizing any, it was a virtual declaration of hostility against every neutral power. 1823 Examiner 658/2 We may revert to this subject, in which case we shall individualize a little more than we have now done. 1840 De Quincey Style ii. Wks. 1860 XI. 239 The..general functions of the article definite..are first, to individualize [etc.]. 1849 Robertson Serm. Ser. i. x. 152 We feel that God sympathises and individualizes. |
3. To appropriate to the use of an individual.
rare.
| 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home (1883) I. 264, I a little grudged the tracts [of land] that have been filched away, so to speak, and individualized by thriving citizens. |
Hence
indiˈvidualized ppl. a., rendered individual; marked by distinctive characteristics.
indiˈvidualizer, one that individualizes.
| 1825 Coleridge Aids Refl. (1848) I. 327 The distinct and individualized agency that by the given combinations utters and bespeaks its presence. a 1834 ― Lit. Rem. (1836) II. 102 Their different combinations and subordinations were in fact the individualizers of men. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sc., Chem. 49 Lithium is the least individualised alkaline metal. 1892 Monist II. 298 Law became an individualista—or, individualiser. |