Liberal

lib′ėr-al, adj. becoming a gentleman: generous: noble-minded: candid: free: free from restraint: general, extensive.— n. one who advocates greater freedom in political institutions.— n. Liberal isā′tion , the proce of making liberal.— v.t. Lib′eralise , to make liberal, or enlightened: to enlarge.— ns. Lib′eralism , the principles of a Liberal in politics or religion; Liberal′ity , the quality of being liberal: generosity: largene or noblene of mind: candour: impartiality.— adv. Lib′erally .— v.t. Lib′erāte , to set free: to release from restraint, confinement, or bondage.— ns. Liberā′tion ; Liberā′tionist , one who is in favour of church disestablishment; Lib′erātor , one who liberates or frees.— adj. Lib′erātory , tending to liberate.— Liberal Party , the name adopted by the Whigs (1830) to denote the body formed by their union with the Radicals; Liberal Unionist , one of that section of the Liberal Party which joined the Conservatives from inability to accede to Mr Gladstone's policy of giving Home Rule to Ireland (1886); German Liberals , a party in German politics, formed by the amalgamation of the Progre ist party and the Liberal union, and advocating moderate liberalism in opposition to the policy of Prince Bismarck; National Liberals , a party in German politics which before 1871 advocated the completion of governmental unity in Germany, as well as supported progre ive measures of reform. [Fr.,—L. liberal is , befitting a freeman— liber , free, akin to libet , lubet , it pleases.]