largess
or lar·gesse
[lahr-jes, lahr-jis]
- generous bestowal of gifts.
- the gift or gifts, as of money, so bestowed.
- Obsolete. generosity; liberality.
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Origin of largess
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
fundphilanthropyendowmentdonationhospitalitykindnessgoodnesslargessepremiumofferinggrantbonusrelieftipbenefitawardsouvenirsubsidyfavorlegacyExamples from the Web for largesse
Contemporary Examples
Some French politicians also have been known to accept the largesse of Arab benefactors.
With the expanded efforts expiring, there was no move in Congress to continue the largesse.
American weapons, troops, and largesse could never bestow legitimacy on a corrupt and incompetent Saigon regime.
For the first time since Chávez launched his revolution, however, that largesse can no longer be taken for granted.
The King Memorial has been created through the largesse of a host of corporate donors—from Disney and Boeing to the NBA and BP.
Historical Examples
The largesse of which he was so prodigal has but an arbitrary and conventional value.
Views and ReviewsWilliam Ernest Henley
All that had been withheld from him, by the mere experience of missing, he was able to bestow with largesse.
The Lovely LadyMary Austin
There was a brilliant full moon, showering its largesse over the hills.
The CricketMarjorie Cooke
After the frolic of the largesse was over, the king and queen rose to depart.
Richard IIIJacob Abbott
But what about the clothes and the stately progress and the largesse?
largesse
largess
- the generous bestowal of gifts, favours, or money
- the things so bestowed
- generosity of spirit or attitude
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Word Origin
C13: from Old French, from large
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for largesse
n.
also largess, "willingness to give or spend freely; munificence," c.1200, from Old French largesse "a bounty, munificence," from Vulgar Latin *largitia "abundance," from Latin largus "abundant" (see large). In medieval theology, "the virtue whose opposite is avarice, and whose excess is prodigality" ["Middle English Dictionary"]. The Old French suffix -esse is from Latin -itia, added to adjectives to form nouns of quality (cf. duress, riches).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper