magnanimity

[mag-nuh-nim-i-tee]

See more synonyms for magnanimity on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural mag·na·nim·i·ties for 2.

Origin of magnanimity

1300–50; Middle English magnanimite < Latin magnanimitās. See magnanimous, -ity

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for magnanimity

philanthropy, chivalry

Examples from the Web for magnanimity

Contemporary Examples of magnanimity

Yet, sadly, neither talent nor ambition cultivates prudence, wisdom, love, or magnanimity.
Miley Cyrus's Smartest Tattoo
James Poulos
September 28, 2013
In this imagined West Bank, anything the Palestinians “get” will be a reflection of Israeli magnanimity, not Palestinian rights.
Clinging to a Virtual Reality
Lara Friedman, Daniel Seidemann
May 10, 2013

Historical Examples of magnanimity

They have claims on the magnanimity and, I may add, on the justice of this nation which we must all feel.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
The state's magnanimity to those offenders whom it would be too expensive to punish.
The Devil's Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce
His mind was fraught with independence, magnanimity, and every manly virtue.
The Letters of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
But Olivia has such candour and magnanimity, that I must admire her!
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
With what generosity, with what magnanimity she speaks of Olivia in those letters!
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for magnanimity

magnanimity

noun plural -ties

generosity

Word Origin for magnanimity

C14: via Old French from Latin magnanimitās, from magnus great + animus soul

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 magnanimity

mid-14c., "loftiness of thought or purpose," from Old French magnanimité "high-mindedness, generosity of spirit," from Latin magnanimitatem (nominative magnanimitas) "greatness of soul, high-mindedness," from magnanimus "having a great soul," from magnus "great" (see magnate) + animus "mind, soul, spirit" (see animus). Probably a loan-translation of Greek megalopsykhos "high-souled, generous" (Aristotle) or megathymus "great-hearted."