Generous \Gen"er*ous\, a. [F. g['e]n['e]reux, fr. L. generous of
noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus birth,
race: cf. It. generoso. See 2d Gender.]
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1. Of honorable birth or origin; highborn. [Obs.]
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The generous and gravest citizens. --Shak.
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2. Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded
as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous;
spirited; courageous. "The generous critic." --Pope. "His
generous spouse." --Pope. "A generous pack [of hounds]."
--Addison.
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3. Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly;
munificent; as, a generous friend or father.
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4. Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing; as, a
generous table. --Swift.
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5. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as,
generous wine.
Syn: Magnanimous; bountiful. See Liberal. --
Gen"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Gen"er*ous*ness, n.
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