01 a. Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a l…
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1.
Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman; refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean; as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or studies.
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2.
Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.“Infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free as infinite.” — Milton.
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3.
Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient; abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a liberal discharge of matter or of water.“His wealth doth warrant a liberal dower.” — Shak.
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4.
Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
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5.
Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
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6.
Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
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7.
Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion; not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the constitution or administration of government; having tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.“I confess I see nothing liberal in this “ order of thoughts,” as Hobbes elsewhere expresses it.” — Hazlitt.
Phrases & compounds
The liberal arts —
See under Art.
Liberal education —
education that enlarges and disciplines the mind and makes it master of its own powers, irrespective of the particular business or profession one may follow.
Syn.
Generous; bountiful; munificent; beneficent; ample; large; profuse; free.
-- Liberal, Generous. Liberal is freeborn, and generous is highborn. The former is opposed to the ordinary feelings of a servile state, and implies largeness of spirit in giving, judging, acting, etc. The latter expresses that nobleness of soul which is peculiarly appropriate to those of high rank, -- a spirit that goes out of self, and finds its enjoyment in consulting the feelings and happiness of others. Generosity is measured by the extent of the sacrifices it makes; liberality, by the warmth of feeling which it manifests.