rel·a·tiv·ize \ˈreləd.iˌvīz\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology:relative (II) + -ize 1.: to make relative : reduce from absoluteness to relativity : treat as contingent or limited to particular conditions 2. a.: to describe (a physical process) in relativistic terms b.: to modify (an equation or formula) to accord with relativity theory