What is "moralizing"

Moralize \Mor"al*ize\ (m[o^]r"al*[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Moralized (m[o^]r"al*[imac]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Moralizing (m[o^]r"al*[imac]*z[i^]ng).] [Cf. F. moraliser.]

1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from.

   This fable is moralized in a common proverb.
   --L'Estrange.

   Did he not moralize this spectacle?
   --Shak.

2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to.

   While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road.
   --Wordsworth.

3. To render moral; to correct the morals of.

   It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country.
   --D. Ramsay.

4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse.

   Good and bad stars moralize not our actions.
   --Sir T. Browne.

n. The behaviour of one who moralizes. vb. (present participle of moralize English)

n. indulgence in moral pronouncements; the exposition (often superficially) of a particular moral code; "his constant moralizing drove me mad" [syn: moralization, moralisation]