liberal

liberal [lib′ər əl, lib′rəl]

adj.

[OFr < L liberalis < liber, free < IE base * leudhero-, belonging to the people, free < base * leudh-, to grow up, rise > Ger leute, people, OE leodan, to grow]

1. suitable for a freeman; not restricted: now only in LIBERAL ARTS, LIBERAL EDUCATION, etc.

2. giving freely; generous

3. large or plentiful; ample; abundant [a liberal reward ]

☆ 4. not restricted to the literal meaning; not strict [a liberal interpretation of the Bible]

5. tolerant of views differing from one's own; broad-minded; specif., not orthodox

6. of democratic or republican forms of government, as distinguished from monarchies, aristocracies, etc.

7. favoring reform or progress, as in religion, education, etc.; specif., favoring political reforms tending toward democracy and personal freedom for the individual; progressive

8. [L-] designating or of a political party upholding liberal principles, esp. such a party in England or Canada

9. Obs. excessively free or indecorous in behavior; licentious

n.

1. a person favoring liberalism

2. [L-] a member of a liberal political party

liberally

adv.

liberalness

n.

SYN.- LIBERAL implies tolerance of others' views as well as open-mindedness to ideas that challenge tradition, established institutions, etc.; PROGRESSIVE, a relative term opposed to reactionary or conservative, is applied to persons favoring progress and reform in politics, education, etc. and connotes an inclination to more direct action than LIBERAL; ADVANCED specifically implies a being ahead of the times, as in science, the arts, philosophy, etc.; RADICAL implies a favoring of fundamental or extreme change, specifically of the social structure; LEFT¹, originally referring to the position in legislatures of the seats occupied by parties holding such views, implies political liberalism or radicalism