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.
Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a
freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal
giver.
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.
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.
Not narrow or contracted in mind; not
selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
Free to excess; regardless of law or moral
restraint; licentious.
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.