GENEROUS

generous

(adjective) more than is usual or necessary; “a generous portion”

generous

(adjective) willing to give and share unstintingly; “a generous donation”

generous

(adjective) not petty in character and mind; “unusually generous in his judgment of people”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

generous (comparative more generous, superlative most generous)

Noble in behaviour or actions; principled, not petty; kind, magnanimous. [from 16th c.]

Willing to give and share unsparingly; showing a readiness to give more (especially money) than is expected or needed. [from 17th c.]

Large, more than ample, copious. [from 17th c.]

Invigorating in its nature.

(obsolete) Of noble birth. [16th-19th c.]

Synonyms

• See also generous

Source: Wiktionary

Gen"er*ous, a. Etym: [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. Shak.

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.

5. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as, generous wine.

Syn.

– Magnanimous; bountiful. See Liberal.

– Gen"er*ous*ly, adv.

– Gen"er*ous*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition