v. [f. AMERICAN a. + -IZE.]
1. strictly, To make American; to naturalize as an American, esp. as a citizen of the United States.
1816. Pickering, Voc., Americanise, to render American.
1859. in Worcester.
2. loosely, To make American in character; to assimilate to the customs or institutions of the United States. (Chiefly a term of English party politics, intended to be opprobrious.)
1830. Gentl. Mag., March, 238. They take upon themselves to scout learning … Americanize episcopacy and the liturgy.
1858. (27 Oct.) Bright, Sp., 289. They say we must not on any account ‘Americanize’ our institutions.
3. intr. To become American in character, etc.
1875. Howells, Foregone Concl., 77. He was Americanizing in that good lady’s hands as fast as she could transform him. Ibid. (1882), in Longm. Mag., I. 42. They [the Irish] have Americanised in such degree that it is hard to know some of them from ourselves in their slouching and nasal speech.
4. intr. To use Americanisms in language.
1839. Q. Rev., Oct., 172/1. The second example will satisfy Mr. Murray that Hood americanizes not.
