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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 father
.
4.
Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing;
as, a
generous
table
.
Swift.
Gen′er-ous-ly
,
adv.
Gen′er-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Generous

GEN'EROUS

,
Adj.
[L. generosus. See Gender.]
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)

  1. (obsolete) Of noble birth. [16th-19th c.]
  2. Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous. [from 16th c.]
    Thank you for your generous words.
  3. 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.
  4. Large, more than ample, copious. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:generous

Related terms

Translations