humanize

Verb (1)

humanize (third-person singular simple present humanizes, present participle humanizing, simple past and past participle humanized)

1. (transitive) To make human; to give or cause to have the fundamental properties of a human.
   • VVas it the buſineſs of magic to humanize our natures with compaſſion, forgiveneſs, and all the inſtances of the moſt extenſive charity?a. 1720 (date written), Joseph Addison, “Section II. The Power and Wisdom of God in the Creation.”, in The Evidences of the Christian Religion, […], London: […] J[acob] Tonson […], published 1730...
   • A waiter brought his aperitif, which was a small scotch and soda, and as he sipped it gratefully he sighed.
     ‘Civilized,’ he said to Mr. Campion. ‘Humanizing.’ […] ‘Cigars and summer days and women in big hats with swansdown face-powder, that's what it reminds me of.’1963, Margery Allingham, chapter V, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC
2. (transitive) To make sympathetic or relatable.
   • I think they would try to humanize the worst villains in history out of their fear that the audience might not like the central character.2000, Robert J. Emery, The directors: in their own words, volume 2, page 267
   • The Oscar-winning film The Iron Lady humanised Thatcher.2012 January 9, “Margaret Thatcher: Let's hear it for the Iron Lady, comedy's greatest straight man”, in The Independent
3. (transitive) To convert into something human or belonging to humans.
   • to humanize vaccine lymph
   • humanized monoclonal antibodies
4. (transitive, artificial intelligence) To make (an AI-generated text) seem as though it was written by a human.

Verb (2)

UK/hjuːˈmeɪn.aɪz/

humanize (third-person singular simple present humanizes, present participle humanizing, simple past and past participle humanized)

1. (transitive) To make humane.
   • In China, as in India, Buddhism humanized the government and the people. It was a Chinese Emperor, Ming-Ti (a.d. 58-76), converted to Buddhism that abolished the penalty of death.1932, Mariadas Ruthnaswamy, The making of the state, page 102
   • And consequently he humanized the company. He instituted excellent employee benefits.1974, Al Parsons, Lightning in the Sun: A History of Florida Power Corporation, 1899-1974, page 154
2. (intransitive) To become humane or civilized.