liberal
['libәrәl]
n. 自者

a. 慷慨, 拘泥, , 自

[] 自, , 慷慨



liberal
[ noun ]

1. a person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties

<noun.person>

2. a person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets

<noun.person>

[ adj ]

1. tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition

<adj.all>

2. showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

<adj.all>
a broad political stance
generous and broad sympathies
a liberal newspaper
tolerant of his opponent's opinions

3. having political or social views favoring reform and progress

<adj.all>

4. given or giving freely

<adj.all>
was a big tipper
the bounteous goodness of God
bountiful compliments
a freehanded host
a handsome allowance
Saturday's child is loving and giving
a liberal backer of the arts
a munificent gift
her fond and openhanded grandfather

5. not literal

<adj.all>
a loose interpretation of what she had been told
a free translation of the poem

Liberal \Lib"er*al\ (l[i^]b"[~e]r*al), a. [F. lib['e]ral, L.
liberalis, from liber free; perh. akin to libet, lubet, it
pleases, E. lief. Cf. {Deliver}.]
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. `` Liberal education.'' --Macaulay. `` A liberal
tongue.'' --Shak.

2. Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman;
generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. ``
Liberal of praise.'' --Bacon.

Infinitely good, and of his good
As liberal and free as infinite. --Milton.

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.

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.

5. Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in
spirit; catholic.

6. Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint;
licentious. `` Most like a liberal villain.'' --Shak.

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.

Note: Liberal has of, sometimes with, before the thing
bestowed, in before a word signifying action, and to
before a person or object on which anything is
bestowed; as, to be liberal of praise or censure;
liberal with money; liberal in giving; liberal to the
poor.

{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.

Usage: {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.


Liberal \Lib"er*al\, n.
One who favors greater freedom in political or religious
matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer;
in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so
called. Cf. {Whig}.