LIBERALITY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does liberality mean? 

• LIBERALITY (noun)
  The noun LIBERALITY has 2 senses:

1. an inclination to favor progress and individual freedom

2. the trait of being generous in behavior and temperament

  Familiarity information: LIBERALITY used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LIBERALITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

An inclination to favor progress and individual freedom

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

liberality; liberalness

Hypernyms ("liberality" is a kind of...):

tolerance (willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others)

Derivation:

liberal (having political or social views favoring reform and progress)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The trait of being generous in behavior and temperament

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

liberality; liberalness

Hypernyms ("liberality" is a kind of...):

generosity; generousness (the trait of being willing to give your money or time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "liberality"):

largess; largesse; magnanimity; munificence; openhandedness (liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit)

Antonym:

illiberality (a disposition not to be liberal (generous) with money)

Derivation:

liberal (given or giving freely)

 Context examples 

To my Publishers, for the aid their tact, their energy, their practical sense and frank liberality have afforded an unknown and unrecommended Author.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"Certainly," said Elinor; "and assisted by her liberality, I hope you may yet live to be in easy circumstances."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

It was short, but expressed good sense, warm attachment, liberality, propriety, even delicacy of feeling.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

His liberality had a rich repayment, and the general goodness of his intentions by her deserved it.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

I have known a good deal of the profession; and besides their liberality, they are so neat and careful in all their ways!

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

It was reasonable that he should feel he had been wrong; he had liberality, and he had the means of exercising it; and though she would not place herself as his principal inducement, she could, perhaps, believe that remaining partiality for her might assist his endeavours in a cause where her peace of mind must be materially concerned.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

His attentive behaviour to herself and his sisters convinced her that their welfare was dear to him, and, for a long time, she firmly relied on the liberality of his intentions.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Mr. Brocklehurst and his family never came near Lowood now: household matters were not scrutinised into; the cross housekeeper was gone, driven away by the fear of infection; her successor, who had been matron at the Lowton Dispensary, unused to the ways of her new abode, provided with comparative liberality.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Henry, I think so highly of Fanny Price, that if I could suppose the next Mrs. Crawford would have half the reason which my poor ill-used aunt had to abhor the very name, I would prevent the marriage, if possible; but I know you: I know that a wife you loved would be the happiest of women, and that even when you ceased to love, she would yet find in you the liberality and good-breeding of a gentleman.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Each lady was previously well disposed for an agreement, and saw nothing, therefore, but good manners in the other; and with regard to the gentlemen, there was such an hearty good humour, such an open, trusting liberality on the Admiral's side, as could not but influence Sir Walter, who had besides been flattered into his very best and most polished behaviour by Mr Shepherd's assurances of his being known, by report, to the Admiral, as a model of good breeding.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)