Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Generous

Gen′er-ous

,
Adj.
[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.
[Obs.]
The
generous
and gravest citizens.
Shakespeare
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 [of hounds].”
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.
–
Gen′er-ous-ly
,
adv.
–
Gen′er-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Generous

GEN'EROUS

,
Adj.
[L. generosus. See Gender.]
1.
Primarily, being of honorable birth or origin; hence, noble; honorable; magnanimous; applied to persons; as a generous foe; a generous critic.
2.
Noble; honorable; applied to things; as a generous virtue; generous boldness. It is used also to denote like qualities in irrational animals; as a generous pack of hounds.
3.
Liberal; bountiful; munificent; free to give; as a generous friend; a generous father.
4.
Strong; full of spirit; as generous wine.
5.
Full; overflowing; abundant; as a generous cup; a generous table.
6.
Sprightly; courageous; as a generous steed.

Similar Results