Conventionalize

/kənˈvɛnʃənəlaɪz/ verb

Definition

American spelling: to make something conventional; to cause something to conform to established customs and standards.

Etymology

From 'conventional' + '-ize' (American verb-forming suffix, from Latin '-izare'). The American '-ize' spelling derives from Greek '-izein' through Latin.

Kelly Says

Art historians use 'conventionalize' to describe how religious icons developed fixed forms—once everyone agreed on what an angel should look like, the creative variation essentially froze.

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