Definition of largesse
1 : liberal giving (as of money) to or as if to an inferior a philanthropist known for his largesse; also : something so given projects depending on a flow of federal largesse
2 : generosity his generosity of spirit, an absolutely natural largesse — Harvey Breit
Read the Latest from M-W
largesse was our Word of the Day on 02/02/2013. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Examples of largesse in a Sentence
He relied on the largesse of friends after he lost his job.
Recent Examples of largesse from the Web
-
Better to declare an end to this diplomatic farce — and to the extraordinary largesse from which Iran is benefiting — and establish a robust sanctions regime that might actually force Tehran to change its ways.
-
After Reagan was elected, his administration softened the strict rules for corporations seeking government largesse.
-
And, in a similar act of unexplained largesse two years later, a bank account for Eubanks’ Aventura Multiservice gained 15 tax returns worth $18,000.
-
Keeping the economy ticking and caving to public appetite for more largesse will be instrumental in how long May is able to stay in power and also reveal her negotiating strength.
-
How McConnell doles out that largesse is another part of the puzzle.
-
After Reagan was elected, his administration softened the strict rules for corporations seeking government largesse.
-
The question, of course, is the degree of the largesse.
-
Critics faulted it for delivering benefits to one large and dominant business when scores of smaller companies in Connecticut would benefit from state largesse.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'largesse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Did You Know?
The word largesse, which also can be spelled "largess" (as in our second example sentence), has been part of the English language since at least the 13th century. It derives via Anglo-French from the Latin word largus, meaning "abundant" or "generous." "Largus" is also the source of our word large. As far back as the 14th century, we used the word largeness as a synonym of "largesse" ("liberal giving"). In fact, that may have been the first sense of "largeness," which has since come to refer to physical magnitude and bulk more often than to magnanimity.
Origin and Etymology of largesse
Middle English largesse, from Anglo-French, from large
LARGESSE Defined for English Language Learners
largesse
playDefinition of largesse for English Language Learners
-
: the act of giving away money or the quality of a person who gives away money; also : money that is given away
Learn More about largesse
-
Spanish Central: Translation of largesse Nglish: Translation of largesse for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up largesse? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!