largess

also lar·gesse (lär-zhĕs', -jĕs', lär'jĕs')
n.

1. 1. Liberality in bestowing gifts, especially in a lofty or condescending manner.
   2. Money or gifts bestowed.
2. Generosity of spirit or attitude.

[Middle English largesse, from Old French, from large, generous, from Latin largus.]

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is now the dominant form for this word meaning 'generosity' or 'money given freely', not largess as recommended by Fowler in 1926.

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also largesse

noun

A material favor or gift, usually money, given in return for service: cumshaw, gratuity, perquisite, tip³. See give/take/reciprocity, transactions.

n

Definition: generosity
Antonyms: meanness, miserliness

IN BRIEF: Generous giving. Also: A generous gift.

There is no doubt that the real destroyer of the liberties of any people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and largess. — Plutarch (c.46-c.120)

Tutor's tip: "Largess" can also be spelled "largesse".

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For a list of words related to largess, see:

• Spending, Receiving, and Possessing Wealth - largess: generous gifts

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See words rhyming with "largesse."

  See crossword solutions for the clue Largess.

Dansk (Danish)
n. - rundhåndethed, storstilet gave

Français (French)
n. - générosité, largesses

Deutsch (German)
n. - Großzügigkeit, Gabe

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - ανοιχτοχεριά, απλοχεριά

Italiano (Italian)
generosità

Português (Portuguese)
n. - dádiva (f), generosidade (f)

Русский (Russian)
щедрый дар, щедрость

Español (Spanish)
n. - generosidad, liberalidad

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - generös gåva, skänk, frikostighet välvilja

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
慷慨的赠与, 慷慨的赏钱, 慷慨

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 慷慨的贈與, 慷慨的賞錢, 慷慨

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 아낌없이 선물함, 증여 , 과분한 부조

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 贈り物, 気前のよさ

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮נדבנות, רוחב לב, מתנות הניתנות בהזדמנות מיוחדת במיוחד ע"י אדם במעמד גבוה‬

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