largesse

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English larges, largess, largesse [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman largece, largesce, Middle French largece, largesce, largesse, and Old French largesce (“breadth, width; request for a monetary gift; (act of) generous giving; (chiefly in the plural) generous gift; generosity, liberality”) (in Anglo-Norman also “liberty; privilege”; modern French largesse), from large (“big, large; generous; wide”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs/ (General American) IPA(key): /lɑɹˈ(d)ʒɛs/ Rhymes: -ɛs Hyphenation: larg‧esse === Noun === largesse (plural largesses) (uncountable) The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality. Synonyms: benevolence, munificence Antonyms: miserliness, niggardliness, stinginess, tightfistedness Often preceded by do, give, or make: the generous or liberal giving of gifts or money, especially by someone of high standing on a special occasion; also, excessive or wasteful giving. Money, etc., given in this way. (figuratively) Abundance of something (chiefly beneficial), regarded as having been given generously. Synonym: bounty (obsolete) Chiefly in the form at one's largesse: freedom or liberty to act. (countable) An act of donating or giving generously. (also figuratively) A specific gift of money, etc., given in this way, specifically (historical) at harvest time; a donation, a gratuity. ==== Alternative forms ==== largess ==== Translations ==== === References === === Further reading === generosity on Wikipedia.Wikipedia === Anagrams === Glaesers, eelgrass, gearless, rageless == French == === Etymology === From Old French largesce, corresponding to large +‎ -esse. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /laʁ.ʒɛs/ Rhymes: -ɛs === Noun === largesse f (plural largesses) largesse; financial generosity ==== Usage notes ==== Not to be confused with largeur. === Further reading === “largesse”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 === Anagrams === réglasse