ˈlɪbərəl adj. & n. --adj. 1
given freely;
ample,
abundant. 2 (often foll. by of) giving freely,
generous,
not sparing. 3 open-minded, not prejudiced. 4 not
strict or
rigorous; (of interpretation) not
literal. 5
for general broadening of
the mind, not
professional or
technical (liberal studies). 6 a favouring
individual liberty,
free trade,
and moderate political and
social reform. b (Liberal) of or
characteristic of Liberals or a Liberal Party. 7 Theol.
regarding many traditional beliefs as
dispensable, invalidated by
modern thought, or
liable to
change (liberal
Protestant; liberal Judaism). --n. 1 a
person of liberal views. 2 (Liberal) a
supporter or
member of a Liberal Party. øliberal arts 1 US the arts as
distinct from science and
technology. 2
hist. the
medieval trivium and
quadrivium. Liberal
Democrat (in the UK) a member of a party (formerly the Social and Liberal Democrats) formed from the Liberal Party and members of the Social
Democratic Party. Liberal Party a political party advocating liberal policies. °In the UK the
name was discontinued in
official use in 1988,
when the party regrouped
with others to
form the Social and Liberal Democrats (see Liberal Democrat). øøliberalism n. liberalist n. liberalistic adj. liberally adv. liberalness n. [ME, orig. = befitting a free
man, f. OF f. L liberalis f.
liber free (man)]