\Lib"er*al\ (l[i^]b"[~e]r*al), a. [F. lib['e]ral, L.
liberalis, from liber free; perh. akin to libet, lubet, it
pleases, E. lief. Cf. {Deliver}.]
1. Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman;
   refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean;
   as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or
   studies. `` Liberal education.'' --Macaulay. `` A liberal
   tongue.'' --Shak.
2. Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman;
   generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. ``
   Liberal of praise.'' --Bacon.
         Infinitely good, and of his good As liberal and free
         as infinite.                          --Milton.
3. Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient;
   abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a
   liberal discharge of matter or of water.
         His wealth doth warrant a liberal dower. --Shak.
4. Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the
   literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a
   classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
5. Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in
   spirit; catholic.
6. Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint;
   licentious. `` Most like a liberal villain.'' --Shak.
7. Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in
   political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion;
   not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the
   constitution or administration of government; having
   tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished
   from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal
   thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
         I confess I see nothing liberal in this `` order of
         thoughts,'' as Hobbes elsewhere expresses it.
                                               --Hazlitt.
Note: Liberal has of, sometimes with, before the thing
      bestowed, in before a word signifying action, and to
      before a person or object on which anything is
      bestowed; as, to be liberal of praise or censure;
      liberal with money; liberal in giving; liberal to the
      poor.
{The liberal arts}. See under {Art}.
{Liberal education}, education that enlarges and disciplines
   the mind and makes it master of its own powers,
   irrespective of the particular business or profession one
   may follow.
Syn: Generous; bountiful; munificent; beneficent; ample;
     large; profuse; free.
Usage: {Liberal}, {Generous}. Liberal is freeborn, and
       generous is highborn. The former is opposed to the
       ordinary feelings of a servile state, and implies
       largeness of spirit in giving, judging, acting, etc.
       The latter expresses that nobleness of soul which is
       peculiarly appropriate to those of high rank, -- a
       spirit that goes out of self, and finds its enjoyment
       in consulting the feelings and happiness of others.
       Generosity is measured by the extent of the sacrifices
       it makes; liberality, by the warmth of feeling which
       it manifests.

\Lib"er*al\, n.
One who favors greater freedom in political or religious
matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer;
in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so
called. Cf. {Whig}.