To make something normal or restore it to a normal state; to establish as a standard or typical condition. In statistics, it means to adjust data to a standard distribution.
From Latin 'normalis' meaning 'according to rule' (from 'norma' meaning 'carpenter's square, rule'). The verb form developed in the 19th century, gaining prominence in psychology and sociology in the 20th century as concepts of social norms became important.
The Latin 'norma' was a carpenter's square—that L-shaped tool for making perfect right angles! So when we normalize something, we're essentially using a mental 'carpenter's square' to make sure everything lines up properly with our standards of what's 'right' or typical.
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