Liberal

Main Entry:: ¹lib·er·al
Pronunciation:: \ˈli-b(ə-)rəl\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lēodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free
Date:: 14th century

1 a: of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts <liberal education> barchaic : of or befitting a man of free birth2 a: marked by generosity : openhanded <a liberal giver> b: given or provided in a generous and openhanded way <a liberal meal> c: ample , full3obsolete : lacking moral restraint : licentious4: not literal or strict : loose <a liberal translation>5: broad-minded ; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms6 a: of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism bcapitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism ; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives

— lib·er·al·ly

\-b(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

— lib·er·al·ness noun

synonyms liberal , generous , bountiful , munificent mean giving or given freely and unstintingly. liberal suggests openhandedness in the giver and largeness in the thing or amount given <a teacher liberal with her praise>. generous stresses warmhearted readiness to give more than size or importance of the gift <a generous offer of help>. bountiful suggests lavish, unremitting giving or providing <children spoiled by bountiful presents>. munificent suggests a scale of giving appropriate to lords or princes <a munificent foundation grant>.

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