liberty

¹

[lib-er-tee]

noun

plural

liberties 

1. freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control.

2. freedom from external or foreign rule; independence.

3. freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, hampering conditions, etc.; power or right of doing, thinking, speaking, etc., according to choice.

4. freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint.

   The prisoner soon regained his liberty.

   Synonyms: liberation

5. permission granted to a sailor, especially in the navy, to go ashore.

6. freedom or right to frequent or use a place.

   The visitors were given the liberty of the city.

   Synonyms: immunity, privilege, license, permission, franchise

7. unwarranted or impertinent freedom in action or speech, or a form or instance of it.

   to take liberties.

8. a female figure personifying freedom from despotism.

Liberty

²

[lib-er-tee]

noun

1. a town in W Missouri.

liberty

/ ˈlɪbətɪ /

noun

1. the power of choosing, thinking, and acting for oneself; freedom from control or restriction

2. the right or privilege of access to a particular place; freedom

3. (often plural) a social action regarded as being familiar, forward, or improper

4. (often plural) an action that is unauthorized or unwarranted in the circumstances

   he took liberties with the translation

5. 1. authorized leave granted to a sailor

   2. ( as modifier )

      liberty man

      liberty boat

6. free, unoccupied, or unrestricted

7. to be overfamiliar or overpresumptuous (with)

8. to venture or presume (to do something)

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberty¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English liberte, from Middle French, from Latin lībertāt-, stem of lībertās, equivalent to līber “free” + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of liberty¹

C14: from Old French liberté, from Latin lībertās, from līber free

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at liberty,

   1. free from captivity or restraint.

   2. unemployed; out of work.

   3. free to do or be as specified.

      You are at liberty to leave at any time during the meeting.

see at liberty; take the liberty of.

Synonym Study

See freedom.

Example Sentences

While authorities argue that restrictions are tied to safety and facility security, civil liberties groups warn that aggressive enforcement, especially when directed at clergy, can have a chilling effect on religious and political expression.

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Far from reducing the power of white American evangelicals — the architects of the current attacks on personal liberty — the taxation of religious organizations would increase it by helping to eliminate their competition.

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The point is made, not for the first time, that for women, slaves and natives, the hope that liberty would be more liberally applied was not fulfilled.

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Buzzard is accused of unlawfully violating the personal liberty of Tyler S. Brewer on Thursday and is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday.

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The nonprofit states on its website that it vets and supports “candidates who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect our God-given liberties and take a stand for Biblical Justice!”

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