should there be an open season on liberals? Why do liberals love Saddam? Do liberals always go to hell? these are the titles for a few of your posts. My question to you is: Can you define liberal?
My dictionary defines liberal as this:
"The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Liberal Lib"er*al (li^b"~er*al), a. F. lib'eral, L.
liberalis, from liber free; perh. akin to libet, lubet, it
pleases, E. lief. Cf. Deliver.
1. Free by birth; hence, befitting a freeman or gentleman;
refined; noble; independent; free; not servile or mean;
as, a liberal ancestry; a liberal spirit; liberal arts or
studies. " Liberal education." --Macaulay. " A liberal
tongue." --Shak.
1913 Webster
2. Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman;
generous; bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. "
Liberal of praise." --Bacon.
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Infinitely good, and of his good
As liberal and free as infinite. --Milton.
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3. Bestowed in a large way; hence, more than sufficient;
abundant; bountiful; ample; profuse; as, a liberal gift; a
liberal discharge of matter or of water.
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His wealth doth warrant a liberal dower. --Shak.
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4. Not strict or rigorous; not confined or restricted to the
literal sense; free; as, a liberal translation of a
classic, or a liberal construction of law or of language.
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5. Not narrow or contracted in mind; not selfish; enlarged in
spirit; catholic.
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6. Free to excess; regardless of law or moral restraint;
licentious. " Most like a liberal villain." --Shak.
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7. Not bound by orthodox tenets or established forms in
political or religious philosophy; independent in opinion;
not conservative; friendly to great freedom in the
constitution or administration of government; having
tendency toward democratic or republican, as distinguished
from monarchical or aristocratic, forms; as, liberal
thinkers; liberal Christians; the Liberal party.
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I confess I see nothing liberal in this " order of
thoughts," as Hobbes elsewhere expresses it.
--Hazlitt.
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Note: Liberal has of, sometimes with, before the thing
bestowed, in before a word signifying action, and to
before a person or object on which anything is
bestowed; as, to be liberal of praise or censure;
liberal with money; liberal in giving; liberal to the
poor.
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The liberal arts. See under Art.
Liberal education, education that enlarges and disciplines
the mind and makes it master of its own powers,
irrespective of the particular business or profession one
may follow.
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Syn: Generous; bountiful; munificent; beneficent; ample;
large; profuse; free.
Usage: Liberal, Generous. Liberal is freeborn, and
generous is highborn. The former is opposed to the
ordinary feelings of a servile state, and implies
largeness of spirit in giving, judging, acting, etc.
The latter expresses that nobleness of soul which is
peculiarly appropriate to those of high rank, -- a
spirit that goes out of self, and finds its enjoyment
in consulting the feelings and happiness of others.
Generosity is measured by the extent of the sacrifices
it makes; liberality, by the warmth of feeling which
it manifests.
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"The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48"
Liberal Lib"er*al, n.
One who favors greater freedom in political or religious
matters; an opponent of the established systems; a reformer;
in English politics, a member of the Liberal party, so
called. Cf. Whig.
1913 Webster
So which meaning are you using when you say stupid $hit like "Do liberals always go to hell?"
