I. ˌlibə(r)ˈterēən, -ta(a)r-, -tār- noun
( -s )
Etymology: liberty (I) + -arian
1. : an advocate of the doctrine of free will — contrasted with necessitarian
2. : one who upholds the principles of liberty ; specifically : one who upholds the principles of individual liberty of thought and action
private judgment and constitutional authority … authoritarians have left but little scope for the former, libertarians would always cut down the latter to the smallest proportions — C.H.McIlwain
II. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ adjective
: of or belonging to a libertarian: as
a. : advocating a theory of free will
a libertarian doctrine
b.
(1) : advocating or advancing liberty
a libertarian ruler
(2) : based on or embodying principles of liberty
a libertarian rule of law
the libertarian tradition
III. noun
Usage: usually capitalized
: a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles