Lib"er*al (l&ibreve;b"&etilde;r*al), a. [F. libéral, 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.

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.

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.

&fist; 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.

Syn. -- Generous; bountiful; munificent; beneficent; ample; large; profuse; free. -- 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.

• Generous in quantity
        Add a liberal sprinkling of salt.
  
• A political description sometimes used without regard to true meaning, as a pejorative
  
• Based on optimistic assumptions.
        At a liberal estimate, growth could exceed 5% next year.
  
• Favoring social freedom; permissive
        Her parents had liberal ideas about child-rearing.
  
• Favoring ideas that treat all people with equal justice regardless of educational, financial, sexual or racial status.
  
• (US) Supposedly Opposing conservative positions, particularly those of social conservatives.
  
• (UK) Pertaining to the Liberal Democrats.
  
• Supporting a Liberal political party
  
• Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
  
• Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
  
• One with liberal views.
  
• (US) One opposing the views of a social conservative and favoring socially responsible taxes. Sometimes used pejoratively in political campaigns.
  
• (Also 'classical liberal', akin to libertarian) A person who favors individual voting rights, human and civil rights, individual gun-rights, laissez-faire markets, and the gold standard.
  

• (UK) A Liberal Democrat.