liberal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Willing to respect and accept ideas, behaviour, or opinions different from your own.

   Her parents had liberal ideas about raising children.

2. 2
   noun

   A person who supports progressive or left-wing political and social views.

   As a liberal, she campaigns for stronger environmental laws.

3. 3
   adj

   Given or provided in large amounts; generous.

   Add a liberal sprinkling of salt to the soup.

4. 4
   adj

   Relating to a general education in arts and sciences rather than technical or job training.

   He studied the liberal arts at university.

The adjective is from Old French liberal, from Latin līberālis (“befitting a freeman”), from līber (“free”); it is attested since the 14th century. The noun is first attested in the 1800s.

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