contextualize

[ kuh n-teks-choo-uh-lahyz ]

/ kənˈtɛks tʃu əˌlaɪz /

to put (a linguistic element, an action, etc.) in a context, especially one that is characteristic or appropriate, as for purposes of study.

Also especially British, con·tex·tu·al·ise.

Origin of contextualize

First recorded in 1930–35; contextual + -ize

con·tex·tu·al·i·za·tion, noun non·con·tex·tu·al·ized, adjective

Everyone had started reaching for cultural references to contextualize what was going on.

The Real Nightmare of Ferguson |James Poulos |August 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It is also important to contextualize how many cases of autism could be accounted for if a causal link to SSRI proved true.

Expectant Moms, Don't Ditch SSRIs Over Autism Fears Just Yet |Emily Shire |April 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It also helps to contextualize the painful criticisms Walker experienced throughout her life as a truth-teller.

New Alice Walker Doc Delivers Good Medicine |Agunda Okeyo |February 3, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Or at least being called upon to contextualize and explain outlandish remarks made by some in the Republican Party.

Can the GOP Get Out of Its Own Way? Recent Comments Make You Wonder |Dean Obeidallah |January 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Few in history have gotten far by attempting to contextualize and insert nuance against a raging bull.

When Twitter Attacks |Richard Rushfield |March 6, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
This approach permits us to conceptualize as well as contextualize the knowledge of nursing the story tells.

Nursing as Caring |Anne Boykin

contextualize

/ (kənˈtɛkstjʊəˌlaɪz) /

(tr) to state the social, grammatical, or other context of; put into context