Unified Modeling Language Reference Manual, The, Second Edition

generalization

A taxonomic relationship between a more general element and a more specific element. The more specific element is fully consistent with the more general element and contains additional information. An instance of the more specific element is an indirect instance of the more general element and inherits its characteristics.

See also association generalization, generalization set, inheritance, multiple inheritance, substitutability principle, use case generalization.

Semantics

A generalization relationship is a directed relationship between two classifiers of the same kind, such as classes, use cases, or associations. One element is called the parent, and the other is called the child. For classes, the parent is called the superclass ...