lib

[ lib ]

/ lɪb /

noun Informal.

liberation(def 2): women's lib; gay lib.

a libber.

Origin of lib

First recorded in 1965–70; by shortening

Definition for lib (2 of 6)

lib.

book.

Origin of lib.

From the Latin word liber

Definition for lib (3 of 6)

lib.

librarian.

library.

Definition for lib (4 of 6)

Lib.

Liberal.

Definition for lib (5 of 6)

ad lib

[ ad lib, ad ]

/ æd ˈlɪb, ˈæd /

noun

something improvised in speech, music, etc.: Was that joke part of your speech or an ad lib?

adverb

at one's pleasure; without restriction.

freely; as needed; without stint: Water can be given to the patients ad lib.

Origin of ad lib

First recorded in 1810–20; see origin at ad libitum

Definition for lib (6 of 6)

ad lib.

ad libitum.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lib

Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem Deputy Prime Minister, attacked the Conservatives for their predictable response to the report.
Britain Admits Anti-Drug Laws Are Useless|Nico Hines|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In contrast to that finale, That Girl ends with Ann Marie taking her fiancé to a Women's Lib meeting.
Marlo Thomas Says Girls Should Feel Free to Be Like Hannah Horvath|Emily Shire|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some Lib Dem supporters sought to dismiss the allegations as overblown.
Britain's Liberal Democrats Need a Sexual Harassment Training|David Frum|February 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In London, the Lib Dem mayoral candidate, Brian Paddick, came in fourth place behind the Green Party candidate, Jenny Jones.
Mayor of London Boris Johnson Survives Unexpectedly Close Vote|Peter Jukes|May 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST

She was in New York during the swinging ‘60s—and a well-respected female editor during the years of Women’s Lib.
The Empress of Fashion’s Legacy|Isabel Wilkinson|September 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
For the Plastering of low and moist places, they had a great many other Lib.
An Abridgment of the Architecture of Vitruvius|Vitruvius
Lepoko go long long, do anyfing for massa; he lib for lub Lokolobolo, no nudder massa dis time.
Samba|Herbert Strang
Guibert mentions previously that the number of horses was reduced to a thousand; lib.
The History of Chivalry|G. P. R. James
Elogia doctorum in Gallia virorum qui nostra patrumque memoria floruerunt (Ienæ, 1696), lib.
The Rise of the Hugenots, Vol. 1 (of 2)|Henry Martyn Baird
At this lib'ral'ty the Red Dog chief squeezes Enright's hand a heap fraternal, an' chokes with emotion.
Faro Nell and Her Friends|Alfred Henry Lewis

British Dictionary definitions for lib (1 of 3)

lib

/ (lɪb) /

noun

informal, sometimes derogatory short for liberation (def. 2)

British Dictionary definitions for lib (2 of 3)

lib.

abbreviation for

librarian

library

British Dictionary definitions for lib (3 of 3)

Lib.

abbreviation for

Liberal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for lib (1 of 2)

lib

1969, American English, shortening of liberation, used with possessives, originally in Women's Lib. Colloquial shortening libber for liberationist is attested from 1971.

Word Origin and History for lib (1 of 2)

ad lib

1811, shortened from Latin ad libitum "at one's pleasure, as much as one likes" (c.1600), from libere "to please" (see libido). First recorded as one word 1919 (v.), 1925 (n.).

Medicine definitions for lib

ad lib.

abbr.

ad libitum (freely, as desired)

lib

noun Informal.

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Nearby words

Origin of lib

Definition for lib (2 of 6)

lib.

Origin of lib.

Definition for lib (3 of 6)

lib.

Definition for lib (4 of 6)

Lib.

Definition for lib (5 of 6)

ad lib

noun

adverb

Origin of ad lib

Definition for lib (6 of 6)

ad lib.

Examples from the Web for lib

British Dictionary definitions for lib (1 of 3)

lib

noun

British Dictionary definitions for lib (2 of 3)

lib.

abbreviation for

British Dictionary definitions for lib (3 of 3)

Lib.

abbreviation for

Word Origin and History for lib (1 of 2)

lib

Word Origin and History for lib (1 of 2)

ad lib

Medicine definitions for lib

ad lib.

abbr.