Definitions for the word "liberal" from multiple English dictionaries.
1. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
2. a.
Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
3. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
4. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
5. a.
Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in spirit; catholic.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
6. a.
Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint; licentious.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
7. a.
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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
8. 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.
Source: The 1913 Webster Unabridged Dictionary, 1913
9. adj.
1 abundant, ample. 2 giving freely, generous. 3 open-minded. 4 not strict or rigorous. 5 for the general broadening of the mind (liberal studies). 6 a favouring moderate political and social reform. B (liberal) of or characteristic of liberals. n. 1 person of liberal views. 2 (liberal) supporter or member of a liberal party. liberalism n. Liberality n. Liberally adv. [latin liber free]
Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 1884
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