Realize, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Realized; p. pr. & vb. n. Realizing.]
Etymology: [Cf. F. réaliser.]
1. To make real; to convert from the imaginary or fictitious into the actual; to bring into concrete existence; to accomplish; as, to realize a scheme or project. We realize what Archimedes had only in hypothesis, weighting a single grain against the globe of earth. Glanvill.
2. To cause to seem real; to impress upon the mind as actual; to feel vividly or strongly; to make one's own in apprehension or experience. Many coincidences . . . soon begin to appear in them [Greek inscriptions] which realize ancient history to us. Jowett. We can not realize it in thought, that the object . . . had really no being at any past moment. Sir W. Hamilton.
3. To convert into real property; to make real estate of; as, to realize his fortune.
4. To acquire as an actual possession; to obtain as the result of plans and efforts; to gain; to get; as, to realize large profits from a speculation. Knighthood was not beyond the reach of any man who could by diligent thrift realize a good estate. Macaulay.
1 more senses
5. To convert into actual money; as, to realize assets.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Realize, v. t.
To convert any kind of property into money, especially property representing investments, as shares in stock companies, bonds, etc. Wary men took the alarm, and began to realize, a word now first brought into use to express the conversion of ideal property into something real. W. Irving.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for realize; he lists it under do.
Where he writes about it:
Realize, effect, execute, and consummate all signify to embody in fact what was before in thought. — from do
One may realize that which he has done nothing to bring about; he may realize the dreams of youth by inheriting a fortune; but he can not effect his early designs except by doing the utmost that is necessary to make them fact. — from do
We finish a garment or a letter, complete an edifice or a life-work, consummate a bargain or a crime, discharge a duty, effect a purpose, execute a command, fulfil a promise, perform our daily tasks, realize an ideal, accomplish a design, achieve a victory. — from do