LIBERAL


Meaning of LIBERAL in English

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. liberal 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). liberalism n. liberalist n. liberalistic adj. liberally adv. liberalness n.

[ ME, orig. = befitting a free man, f. OF f. L liberalis f. liber free (man) ]

Concise Oxford English dictionary.      Краткий оксфордский словарь английского языка.