Dictionary entry

Generous

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Gen″er‐ous (?), a. [F. généreux, fr. L. generous of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus birth, race: cf. It. generoso. See 2d Gender.]

1. Of honorable birth or origin; highborn.

The generous and gravest citizens. Shak.

2. Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous. “The generous critic.” Pope. “His generous spouse.” Pope. “A generous pack.” Addison.

3. Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent; as, a generous friend or father.

4. Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing; as, a generous table. Swift.

5. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as, generous wine.

Syn. — Magnanimous; bountiful. See Liberal.

— Gen″er‐ous‐ly, adv. — Gen″er‐ous‐ness, n.