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Webster 1913 Edition
Generous
Gen′er-ous
,Adj.
[F.
généreux
, fr. L. generous
of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus
birth, race: cf. It. generoso
. See 2d Gender
.] 1.
Of honorable birth or origin; highborn.
[Obs.]
The
generous
and gravest citizens. Shakespeare
2.
Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous.
“The generous critic.” Pope.
“His generous spouse.” Pope.
“A generous pack [of hounds].” Addison.
3.
Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent;
as, a
. generous
friend or father4.
Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing;
as, a
. generous
tableSwift.
Gen′er-ous-ly
, adv.
Gen′er-ous-ness
, Noun.
Webster 1828 Edition
Generous
GEN'EROUS
,Adj.
1.
Primarily, being of honorable birth or origin; hence, noble; honorable; magnanimous; applied to persons; as a generous foe; a generous critic.2.
Noble; honorable; applied to things; as a generous virtue; generous boldness. It is used also to denote like qualities in irrational animals; as a generous pack of hounds.3.
Liberal; bountiful; munificent; free to give; as a generous friend; a generous father.4.
Strong; full of spirit; as generous wine.5.
Full; overflowing; abundant; as a generous cup; a generous table.6.
Sprightly; courageous; as a generous steed.Definition 2024
generous
generous
English
Adjective
generous (comparative more generous, superlative most generous)
- (obsolete) Of noble birth. [16th-19th c.]
- Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous. [from 16th c.]
- Thank you for your generous words.
- Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed. [from 17th c.]
- She's been extremely generous with her winnings.
- Large, more than ample, copious. [from 17th c.]
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:generous
Related terms
Translations
noble in character, magnanimous
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large, ample
of noble birth
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