noun plural
Etymology: translation of Medieval Latin liberales artes
1. : the studies comprising the trivium and quadrivium in the middle ages
2. : the studies (as language, philosophy, history, literature, abstract science) especially in a college or university that are presumed to provide chiefly general knowledge and to develop the general intellectual capacities (as reason or judgment) as opposed to professional, vocational, or technical studies
a liberal arts curriculum
a liberal arts college
also : the humanities
studied mainly the sciences and the liberal arts
— see humanity 3c