n. [ Cf. F. moralisation. ] 1. The act of moralizing; moral reflections or discourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Explanation in a moral sense. T. Warton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Moralized p. pr. & vb. n. Moralizing ] [ Cf. F. moraliser. ] 1. To apply to a moral purpose; to explain in a moral sense; to draw a moral from. [ 1913 Webster ]

This fable is moralized in a common proverb. L'Estrange. [ 1913 Webster ]

Did he not moralize this spectacle? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To furnish with moral lessons, teachings, or examples; to lend a moral to. [ 1913 Webster ]

While chastening thoughts of sweetest use, bestowed
By Wisdom, moralize his pensive road. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To render moral; to correct the morals of. [ 1913 Webster ]

It had a large share in moralizing the poor white people of the country. D. Ramsay. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To give a moral quality to; to affect the moral quality of, either for better or worse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Good and bad stars moralize not our actions. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To make moral reflections; to regard acts and events as involving a moral. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. to lecture to a person in a manner asserting moral principles.
Syn. -- sermonize, preachify, moralise. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. One who moralizes. [ 1913 Webster ]