large

large [lärj]

adj.

larger, largest [OFr < L largus: see LARD]

1. Archaic liberal; generous

2. big; great; specif.,

a) taking up much space; bulky

b) enclosing much space; spacious [a large office]

c) of great extent or amount [a large sum]

3. big as compared with others of its kind; of more than usual or average size, extent, or amount

4. comprehensive; far-reaching [to have large views on a subject]

5. pompous or exaggerated [large talk]

6. operating on a big scale [a large manufacturer]

7. Naut. favorable; specif., quartering: said of a wind

adv.

larger, largest

1. in a large way; so as to be large [to write large]

2. Naut. with a favoring wind, specif. one on the quarter

n.

liberty: now only in the phrase AT LARGE: (see phrase below)

——————

at large

1. free; not confined; not in jail

2. fully; in complete detail

3. in general; taken altogether

☆ 4. representing an entire state or other district rather than only one of its subdivisions [a congressman at large]

5. covering any area or many areas; not covering any specific area [a critic at large]

largeness

n.

SYN.- LARGE, BIG, and GREAT are often interchangeable in meaning of more than usual size, extent, etc. [a large, big, or great oak ], but in strict discrimination, LARGE is used with reference to dimensions or quantity [a large studio, amount, etc. ], BIG, to bulk, weight, or extent [a big baby, big business ], and GREAT, to size or extent that is impressive, imposing, surprising, etc. [a great river, success, etc. ] -ANT. SMALL, LITTLE