generousadj.n.
/ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəs/, U.S. /ˈdʒɛn(ə)rəs/ A. adj.
I. Senses relating to nobility of birth, character, or conduct.† 1. † 3. Gallant, courageous, valiant. Obsolete.
a. Of noble or aristocratic lineage; high-born. Of birth, blood, family, etc.: aristocratic, noble, high-ranking. Also in extended use. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > [adjective] > of descent or breeding
ykynde1420
generous1574
well-bred1585
well-descended1591
well nutrimenteda1592
high-descended1600
well-derived1600
high-bred1613
highly bred1625
high-blooded1632
of (good, noble, etc.) familya1639
pedigree1861
1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 43 Worship and contention doe neuer accompanie in one generous personage.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. i. 86 Most generous sir. View more context for this quotation
1606 No-body & Some-body sig. E2v O God, that one borne noble should be so base, His generous blood to scandall all his race.
1621 Knolles's Gen. Hist. Turkes (ed. 3) 1300 Many Knights..of generous extraction.
a1683 A. Sidney Disc. Govt. (1704) iii. xxvii. 345 This has in several ages cost the Nation a vast proportion of generous blood.
1722 A. Philips Briton iii. viii. 37 To lead in Bonds, the generous, free-born Princes, Who spurn, who fight against your Tyranny?
1749 J. Mason Ess. Power & Harmony Prosaic Numbers 11 Of those which I call the generous or the noble Feet, some are more excellent than others.
1799 W. Godwin St. Leon II. x. 258 I am a man of generous birth and honourable sentiments.
1804 D. Irving Lives Sc. Poets II. 335 The principal persons of the drama, though trained from infancy in the manners of rustic life, are of generous birth.
1850 J. M. Neale Mediæval Hymns 178 In a generous womb once dwelling.
1875 C. Kingsley Lect. in Amer. i. 3 That genial reverence for antiquity which I hold to be the sign of a truly generous—that is in the right sense of the grand old word—a truly high-bred nature.
b. Of an animal, esp. a horse: of good breed or stock. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > [adjective] > kept for breeding > of good breed
gentle?a1300
generous1594
well-bred1607
whole-bred1667
well-strained1710
standardbred1874
1594 W. Jones tr. J. Lipsius Sixe Bks. Politickes iv. 66 Our minds like vnto noble and generous horses, are best ruled with an easie bit.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 138 The generous bitches haue xii. [speans], other but x.
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) vii. 26 I have seene a Gentleman..very carefull to have his horse of a generous race.
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 71 Eagles try their Young against his Rays, To prove, if they're of generous Breed, or base.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 99 The Colt, that for a Stallion is design'd, By sure Presages shows his generous Kind. View more context for this quotation
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. 57 The plains..bred a generous race of horses, renowned above all others in the antient world, for their majestic shape, and incomparable swiftness.
1841 E. S. Wortley Maiden of Moscow iii. v. 59 His footing missed—that mettled steed Of gallant blood and generous breed, And horse and rider fell.
2.
a. Noble of spirit, honourable, principled. Now in weakened sense: unselfish, magnanimous, kind.In later use overlapping with sense A. 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > spirit > high-spiritedness > [adjective]
moodyOE
fierce1297
jollyc1330
fieryc1430
high-stomached1546
stout-stomached1549
hearteda1552
generous1581
high-spirited1588
high-hearteda1625
high-mettleda1626
high1649
fire-souled1823
gingery1823
stomachy1896
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adjective] > high-minded or magnanimous
athelmodc1275
freec1380
worthya1393
great-heartedc1425
noble1447
magnanimec1475
greata1500
haught1530
magnanimous1547
heartya1555
high-minded1556
noble-natured1576
generous1581
noble-minded1586
liberal-minded1592
ingenious1597
ingenuous1598
large-hearted1607
noble-tempered1654
big-hearted1711
broad-hearted1719
megalopsychic1896
big1910
society > morality > virtue > morally elevated quality > [adjective] > high-minded or magnanimous > specifically of actions, etc.
worthyc1430
generous1581
lofty-minded1791
1581 W. Allen Apol. Two Eng. Colleges f. 48v Or if domestical testimonies be in this kind suspicious, yet that the sayings of these ancient fathers void of affection, feare, flattery, partiality, may find place in so generous a mind.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 622 This is not generous, not gentle, not humble. View more context for this quotation
1606 J. Day Ile of Guls sig. A3 Baudy and scurril iests, which neither becomes his modestie to write, not the ease of a generous Auditory to heare.
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 133 The Gratitude they exprest..was a Token of generous Principles.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxxvii. 222 She..is generous—noble—but has strong Passions, and is thoughtless and precipitant.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. 261 The usurper..was tempted to place some confidence in so generous a conqueror.
1814 J. Aikin et al. Gen. Biogr. IX. 303/1 The generous Prænestine indignantly refused to accept his life from the butcher of his fellow-citizens.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 79 The spirit of timid reserve still kept the bishops silent, and this generous appeal met no response.
1876 J. B. Mozley Univ. Serm. (1877) ix. 195 He who is generous to an equal is generous at the risk of his own loss or fall by comparison.
1915 W. Cather Song of Lark vi. xi. 480 Any account of the loyalty of young hearts to some exalted ideal, and the passion with which they strive, will always, in some of us, rekindle generous emotions.
c1951 T. Roethke Sel. Lett. (1968) 170 After your generous words, I feel a terrible stinker questioning everything.
1991 German Hist. 9 380 One might be generous and salute such epistemological modesty were it not for the sheer number of other questions that are begged or never even addressed.
b. Of an animal, esp. a horse: spirited, lively; hard-working; responsive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > spirit > [adjective] > spirited (of animals)
proudc1300
generous1603
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 677 How and by what reason such an accident as this might make horses more generous and better spirited; and verily, the most part of the company there present, were of opinion, that the said occurrent bred cowardise in horses, rather than stomacke and generositie.
1616 B. Jonson Every Man in his Humor (rev. ed.) i. ii, in Wks. I. 10 The eager, but the generous grey-hound, Who ne're so little from his game with-held, Turnes head, and leapes vp at his holders throat.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia Isagoge sig. C2v Amongst the a foresaid living creatures, some are Solar, sc. those that are generous, and lively, as the bull, goat, horse, lion.
1698 G. Granville Heroick Love 10 The generous Horse That bore his Rider, safe thrô armed Ranks Snapping in sunder Darts and Spears, then fell Unhurt, Untoucht.
1730 W. Burdon Gentleman's Pocket-farrier 18 Most Men Whip and Spur a Horse to make him go faster before they bid him; but that is cruel Treatment, to beat a generous Creature before you have signified your mind to him.
1773 J. Macpherson tr. Homer Iliad I. viii. 234 When some generous hound in the chace,—pursues a lion or mountain-boar.
1790 G. Riley Beauties of Creation I. 9 Notwithstanding all the good qualities of this noble and generous animal, when he is so enfeebled by age..he is..sold for scarcely the worth of his bridle.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. xii. 242 Their generous steeds, which, by neighing and pawing the ground, gave signal of their impatience.
1838 Dublin Univ. Mag. July 83/1 In the generous colt we trace The victor of the future race.
1876 W. W. Fowler Women of Amer. Frontier (1881) xii. 280 She continued to urge forward the generous steed she bestrode.
1949 Times 9 Sept. 6/1 He is a most courageous and generous horse.
1975 Wisconsin State Jrnl. 30 Apr. v. 4 Black Gold was small but tough, and no more generous horse ever ran.
1997 M. A. Belknap Equine Dict. 185/1 Generous, said of a horse who gives his best when performing in a race or other competition.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > courage > [adjective]
courageous1297
heartya1375
leoninec1386
heartlya1450
well-stomached1478
couraged?1529
noble couraged1561
heartsome1567
Roman1577
generous1596
nerved1615
noble-spiriteda1617
noble-hearted1684
courageable1689
lion-hearted1708
1596 Z. Jones tr. M. Barleti Hist. G. Castriot Pref. sig. ¶ vi Thus did our generous [Fr. genereux] and Christian Argonauts..make themselues way vnto the heauens.
1623 H. Cockeram Eng. Dict. Generous, valiant, noble.
1640 tr. G. S. du Verdier Love & Armes Greeke Princes iii. 8 This generous Warrior, that was not capable of fear in the greatest..dangers.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. ii. iii. 37 [He] made a generous resistance, and won a glorious victory.
a1704 T. Brown On Duke of Ormond's Recovery in Wks. (1707) I. i. 73 Neglected Horses range along the Plain, Their Chariots broke, and generous Riders slain.
1796 E. Burke Let. to Noble Lord in Wks. (1815) VIII. 46 He had in himself a salient, living spring, of generous and manly action.
4.
a. Of a person: that shows a readiness to give more of something, esp. money, than is strictly necessary or expected; open-handed, charitable, liberal, bountiful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [adjective]
custyeOE
room-handeda1200
largea1225
free?c1225
plenteousc1350
bounteousc1374
liberalc1384
free-hearteda1398
ungnedea1400
royalc1405
opena1425
plentifula1475
profuse?a1475
ungrighta1475
lavishc1475
almifluent1477
prodigous1477
frank1484
bountiful1508
largifluent?a1525
munificent1565
magnificent1577
largeous1583
munifical1583
magnifical1586
free-handed1592
frolic1593
open-handed1593
magnific?1594
prodigal1595
goodwillya1598
communicativea1602
real1602
prodig1605
unniggard1605
generous1615
open-hearteda1617
large-handeda1628
unniggardly1628
fluent1633
profusive1638
numerous1655
largifical1656
insordid1660
unsparing1667
dispensive1677
expensive1678
wasteful1701
flush1703
unboundeda1704
genteel1741
munific1745
magnifique1751
ungrudginga1774
unstinting1845
brickish1860
flaithulach1876
princely1889
outgiving1896
sharing1922
two-handed1929
1615 E. Grimeston tr. P. d'Avity Estates 66 They of the flat countrie (who are ciuil and generous) spend their reuenues freely.
1630 T. Dekker Second Pt. Honest Whore sig. F4v This is the suite, and I need not shame to weare it, for better men then I would be glad to haue suites bestowed on them. It's a generous fellow.
1662 Duchess of Newcastle Orations Divers Sorts viii. 162 She was Sociable in her Conversation, Just in her Promises, and Generous in her Gifts.
1696 tr. J. Dumont New Voy. Levant 35 Since the Ladies here are no less Generous than Charming..there are many Intrigues form'd.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 51 The king, he said, was the most generous of princes, but his generosity could neither relieve or reward every one.
1777 J. Howard State Prisons Eng. & Wales 183 A generous Benefactor..often sends the Prisoners beef and bread.
1878 R. W. Dale Lect. Preaching (ed. 3) viii. 248 A man may be generous with his money and ungenerous in his spirit.
1882 Sat. Rev. No. 1383. 533 He was himself generous as a giver, parting, indeed, with that which did not altogether belong to himself.
1911 H. Walpole Perrin & Traill ii She was generous to an amazing degree, and would give anything..to anybody without a moment's thought.
1947 B. Feller Strikeout Story iii. 22 They were to be my teammates soon and they were generous in their praise now.
2005 Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 10 Jan. 12/4 I..feel disinclined to offer any more aid personally when the Prime Minister is so generous giving away our hard-earned taxes.
b. Of an action, a gift, etc.: readily done or given; more than is strictly necessary or expected; large, ample, bounteous.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > liberal giving > [adjective] > liberally given
unspareda1400
bounteous1542
unpinched1583
genteela1665
generous1706
1706 N. Rowe Ulysses Ded. The Restoring and Preserving any Part of Learning is so Generous an Action in it self, that it naturally falls into your Lordship's Province.
1827 A. Sherwood Gazetteer Georgia 112 It would be a kind of generous charity, to leave with the tavern-keepers..some of the loose change.
1896 Scott. Notes & Queries 10 22 These generous donations were afterwards supplemented.
1933 Brainerd (Minnesota) Daily Disp. 11 Dec. 1/2 Their initiative and generous response in giving their time and service in this great humanitarian emergency is inspiring.
2006 Up Here (Yellowknife, N.W. Territories) May 22/2 Thanks to the generous donation, the second, and sorely needed, ice pad opened well ahead of schedule in November.
II. Senses relating to fullness, abundance, or vigour.† 7. Of a remedy: strong, powerful, efficacious. Obsolete.In quot. 1677 applied to a bout of illness.
5. Of an alcoholic drink, esp. wine: rich, full-bodied; strong, invigorating.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > wine > qualities or characteristics of wine > [adjective] > rich or strong
wightc1400
generous1607
polyphorous1657
full-bodied1723
big1890
mouth-filling1975
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse sig. A2 Looke for better and more generous wine of the old vinetree.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Wales 6 Metheglen..is a most generous liquor.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 24 Two Goblets will I crown with sparkling Wine, The gen'rous Vintage of the Chian Vine.
1708 J. Philips Cyder 11 The British vats O'erflow with generous cider.
1768 J. Boswell Acct. Corsica (ed. 2) iii. 187 The juice of the Corsican grapes is so generous, that..it will always please by its natural flavour.
1798 W. S. Landor Gebir i. 72 He went, nor slumber'd in the sultry noon When viands, couches, generous wines, persuade.
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey I. ii. xvii. 254 Drawing out, by the assistance of generous wine, their most kindly sentiments, and most engaging feelings.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany xiii. 223 Whose earliest nutriment was the generous wine of Béarn.
1899 Times 4 Oct. 12/6 No description of wine appears to be holding its own so well in England as port... Customers..drink this generous wine in limited quantities rather as a liqueur than as a beverage.
1940 H. J. Grossman Guide to Wines, Spirits & Beers vi. 80 Vin Santo, a generous, sweet dessert Muscat wine.
2000 Independent on Sunday 4 June (Wine Guide Suppl.) 16/3 The best wines are rich and generous.
6.
a. Large, capacious; bigger than is usual or expected. Of a person (frequently euphemistic): well-built, fat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > [adjective] > roomy > capacious
capable1594
wide-side1606
captiousa1616
generous1615
capacious1656
spacious1819
continent1856
1615 J. Stephens Satyrical Ess. 11 Clearkes and other knaves (Who with their gennerous ruffs the Court out-braves) Will take a pention, or a quarter-fee To make their friend from information free.
1704 J. Dennis Liberty Asserted ii. iv. 22 His struggling Passion shakes his generous Frame, With whose excess he trembles and he dies.
1800 J. Larwood Erratics ix. 102 They fatten to the most generous size some of the best bullocks Smithfield boasts.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xxxv. 348 How great and liberal the houses are, with generous casements and courts.
1875 H. James Passionate Pilgrim 129 His chest was of so generous a girth that you half expected to hear his linen crack with its even respirations.
1886 O. W. Holmes Mortal Antipathy Introd. 21 His ample coat..with its broad flaps and many buttons and generous cuffs.
1929 J. B. Priestley Good Compan. i. v. 183 Effie was no chit of a girl but a woman on a very generous scale.
1945 O. Simon Introd. Typogr. iii. 12 The roman lower-case letters of Scotch and Baskerville..are wide and generous, whilst..Fournier and Bembo occupy considerably less width.
1982 I. Asimov Foundation's Edge 293 Her thighs, which were seen in shadow, were generous, but her legs narrowed to graceful ankles.
2002 R. G. Mitchell Dancing at Armageddon iii. 64 Macy was an armor man. He did not walk much. Doc's generous stomach made him an armor man, too.
b. Of food or drink: given or provided liberally or in large amounts; abundant, ample, copious.Early instances of the word applied to food may have the additional sense of ‘rich, nourishing’, showing the influence of sense A. 5. In later use, overlapping with sense A. 4b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > abundance > [adjective] > liberal or unstinted in quantity
sparelessa1400
liberalc1405
ample1447
unstinted1480
superaboundinga1513
rich1561
handsome1577
free1635
unstraitened1665
unmeasured out1667
generous1720
usurious1780
stintless1844
showering1892
the world > food and drink > food > diet > [adjective] > ample
generous1833
1720 R. Mead Short Disc. conc. Pestilential Contagion (ed. 5) ii. 49 These Ends will be best answered by living with Temperance upon a good generous Diet, and avoiding Fastings, Watchings, extreme Weariness, &c.
1790 J. B. Moreton Manners & Customs West India Islands 15 Yet they are fond to see strong liquors given in generous portions to the sailors.
1833 J. Forbes et al. Cycl. Pract. Med. I. 568/2 Young children and growing youths generally thrive upon a generous diet of animal food.
1896 Times 21 Dec. 10/1 The plague..is..an indirect product of dirt and bad food..scarcely touching those whose higher standards of life and generous diet enable them to defy it.
1948 D. D. Knowles Relig. Orders in Eng. i. ii. 19 Among their injunctions was one forbidding flesh-meat anywhere outside the infirmary; other visitors, however..allowed monks who were in need of a generous diet to join the sick in the infirmary.
1966 J. Doxat Booth's Handbk. Cocktails & Mixed Drinks xiv. 145 Snowball. Ice cube in tall glass. Generous measure of Advocaat; top with Fizzy Lemonade; decorate with slice of Lemon.
1994 H. Chappell Oysterback Tales 33 He forked up a generous helping of oyster pie.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > violent or severe
grimc900
strongeOE
grievousc1290
burning1393
acutea1398
maliciousa1398
peracutea1398
sorea1400
wicked14..
malign?a1425
vehement?a1425
malignousc1475
angrya1500
cacoethe?1541
eager?1543
virulent1563
malignant1568
raging1590
roaring1590
furious1597
grassant1601
hearty1601
sharp1607
main1627
generous1632
perperacute1647
serious1655
ferine1666
bad1705
severe1725
unfavourable1782
grave1888
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > relating to powers or effects of drugs > powerful or vigorous
vehement?1541
rough1598
generous1632
effrenate1657
effrenous1657
drastica1691
Herculean1755
1632 H. Hawkins tr. G. P. Maffei Fuga Sæculi 335 Howbeit the holy man togeather with the assiduity of prayer, would vse also other potent and generous remedyes.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. iv. sig. O4v The Doctor thought himself this Day oblig'd to a quite contrary, and yet a more generous Remedy; and order'd, that, instead of giving me Drink, they should take away Blood.
1677 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1890) App. v. 37 My Lord is still ill of the gout and the Duke of Buckingham hath had a generous fitt of itt.
1704 R. Pitt Antidote 25 They fill the Place and exclude the use of the other Efficiacious and Generous Remedies: by which matter of the Disease would have been gradually and insensibly alter'd.
1753 J. Andree Cases of Epilepsy, Hysteric Fits & St. Vitus's Dance (ed. 2) 32 This Oil may be prepared from any animal Substance, and..it is a generous Remedy for intermittent Fevers.
1799 W. Butter treat. Venereal Rose v. 62 Whoever omits that generous remedy in violent inflammations of the eyes whether venereal or not is liable to much blame.
1827 P. Maxwell tr. C. A. Dard Hist. Sufferings Picard Family xii, in tr. Perils & Captivity 124 The unremitting care we received, as well as the generous medicine of M. Quincey..soon placed us out of danger.
8. Of soil, land, etc.: rich, fertile, productive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > fertile land or place > [adjective]
goodOE
bearinglOE
freshc1325
fat1393
plentive?a1400
fertilec1460
richa1522
fructual1528
batwell1534
battle?1542
battling1548
increaseful1594
uberousa1627
exuberanta1660
generous1661
productive1672
innerly1868
oasal1888
oasitic1896
1661 J. Howell Divers Historicall Disc. 312 My soul..cut her way through that foggy condens'd aire, till she lighted on a fair spacious, cleare Continent, a generous and rich Soile mantled up and downe with large woods.
1696 N. Tate Miscellanea Sacra Pref. sig. A6 But 'tis the Misfortune of that generous Soil to be over-run with poysonous Weeds, and thin stockt with wholsome Plants.
1724 S. Switzer et al. Pract. Fruit-gardener xvii. 130 Whoever has a generous Soil and Room enough for it to run, would do well to graft or rather bud it on a Free-Stock.
1799 S. J. Pratt Gleanings in Eng. xvi. 330 That world..spreads a fair expanse of generous land at our feet.
1853 C. Merivale Fall Rom. Republic i. 3 Miles and miles of generous soil were abandoned to the boar and the buffalo.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. Netherlands (1868) I. i. 7 A generous southern territory, flowing with wine and oil.
1949 V. W. von Hagen South Amer. called Them iii. xxi. 265 They cut through the desert, crossed a sharp range of mountains, and plunged into a rich valley with wide and generous earth.
2004 Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey) (Nexis) 3 Nov. Sicily and California are agricultural areas blessed with warm weather and generous soils.
9. Of a colour: rich, full.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > colour > quality of colour > [adjective] > intense
strongOE
richc1330
finea1387
stark1547
deep1555
full1599
saturate1669
generous1710
lush1744
saturated1791
lushy1821
robust1826
raised1846
high-keyed1879
acid1916
1710 D. Manley Mem. Europe I. iii. 319 Her whole Countenance became furious and distorted, not flush'd with a generous Red, but Pale almost to Death.
1834 M. Bloxham Paradise Regained 46 Not like the generous hue of upper fire, But livid, ghastly, sick, pollute, and foul.
1844 A. W. Kinglake Eothen iii. 48 The glow of generous colour.
1906 ‘R. Connor’ Doctor: Tale of Rockies i. 9 A long strip of hay fields of mixed timothy and red clover, generous of colour and perfume.
2007 Internat. Herald Tribune (Nexis) 26 Feb. A handful of fashion renegades are hoping to create a new kind of international sensation, marked by dramatic volumes, generous color and indulgent styling.
B. n.† 2. slang. Rich, strong wine. Obsolete.
1. With the and plural agreement.† b. Noble or aristocratic people as a class; the aristocracy. Cf. sense A. 1a. Obsolete.
a. Charitable, giving, or unselfish people as a class.
ΚΠ
1609 Euerie Woman in her Humor sig. E The generous will disburse coynage for satisfaction of your metaphisicall endeuour.
1661 O. Felltham Resolves (rev. ed.) ii. liv. 297 Such gifts..were meerly out of affection and benignity... Mendicatory or fishing Gifts..the generous have ever disdained.
1756 T. Amory Life John Buncle I. p. viii I..have always kept company with the polite, the generous, the lively, the rational.
1793 Times 14 Jan. 1/3 (advt.) Where the contributions of the Generous will be received, and gratefully acknowledged.
1807 La Belle Assemblée Sept. 154/2 The warm, the generous, are too much occupied with their..affection for others, to attend to suggestions exclusively selfish.
1892 R. W. Church Cathedral & Univ. Serm. 61 The ungenerousnesses of the generous, the injustices of the just.
1910 Boston Sunday Globe 14 Aug. 40/3 From the myriad frauds which are perpetrated on them, the generous should clearly be delivered.
1997 J. W. Bailey Utilitarianism, Institutions, & Justice iii. 59 The worst the generous are exposed to are minor forms of exploitation.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > nobility > [noun] > noble person or man > collectively
nobleyea1393
gentlec1400
lordly1508
nobility1581
generous1610
high-born1686
hochgeboren1905
1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie iii. x. 116 The Ancient Generous made choice rather of such Herbes as grew in the Fields.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads xv. 207 All the generous They cald t'encounter Hectors charge, and turn'd the common men Backe to the fleete.
1640 R. Brathwait Two Lancs. Lovers (title page) Stored with no lesse variety of discourse To delight the Generous, then of serious advice to instruct the Amorous.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > wine > types of wine > [noun] > other types of wine
myrrhed winec1429
tyre1429
rochec1440
rospeys1440
raspis?a1450
caprika1475
garnade?c1475
whippetc1500
rampion?1520
Ribadavia1542
romanisk1542
Mountrosec1560
raspis wine1562
whippincrusta1593
charneco1594
absinthites1601
pitch wine1601
myrrh wine1609
wine of astonishment1611
deal1613
Sherant1620
Sheranino1632
Grecoa1660
Langoon1674
generousa1717
Massic1751
rasped wine1823
straw wine1824
vin de paille1833
vin jaune1833
vino tierno1911
mistelle1924
rancio1939
boerwyn1947
a1717 E. Baynard Health (1719) 11 Not that in general I condemn, A Glass of gen'rous now and then; When you are faint, your Spirits low.
1755 T. Amory Mem. Ladies 355 He..perhaps had a bottle of generous in his stomach.
1767 Hist. Mrs. Drayton III. vii. v. 65 He had slept like a top all night, by the frequent attacks he had made upon his bottle of Generous.
Compounds
Parasynthetic.
generous-hearted adj.
ΚΠ
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada iii. 176 The generous hearted Ormondo remain'd astonished at so noble a spirit.
1765 E. Griffith Platonic Wife iii. iii. 46 These sly, slow things, that have either the reality, or appearance of virtue, do fifty times more mischief, than we good natur'd, generous hearted girls are capable of doing.
1856 J. G. Whittier Panorama 6 Wise-thoughted age, and generous-hearted youth.
1956 Cambr. Hist. Jrnl. 12 161 The generous-hearted Lancaster was later indignant that Marsh should have said nothing comforting, encouraging, or even intelligible, to the massed bands of boys and girls.
2003 F. Inglis in I. Mackillop & N. Sinyard Brit. Cinema of 1950s 39 That well-educated, internationalist-minded, generous-hearted and courteous fraction of the non-exploitative bourgeoisie.
generous-lipped adj.
ΚΠ
1924 M. B. Lowndes Terriford Myst. iii. 35 Her generous-lipped mouth was too large for beauty.
1991 Sunday Mail (Queensland) (Nexis) 10 Feb. Sixties pop enthusiasts will no doubt focus on..Marianne Faithfull, one-time girl friend of generous-lipped rock star Mick Jagger.
generous-natured adj.
ΚΠ
1820 E. Appleton Early Educ. xvii. 107 The generous-natured dog is willing enough to frolic and gambol for their amusement.
1924 M. B. Lowndes Terriford Myst. vi. 68 She was the most devoted and generous-natured of wives to me.
2007 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 27 Oct. 29 Kind and generous-natured, he was indulgent in his treatment of the less academically gifted of his pupils.
generous-souled adj.
ΚΠ
1840 I. Steward Interdict I. xvi. 287 Blessed are the poor in spirit!.. The class is rare—even that generous-souled woman has the family stamp—what between the mother's high spirit and the father's fierce spirit.
1907 Daily Chron. 9 Nov. 8/5 Like all generous-souled men, her grandfather ran to extremes.
2007 Denver Westword (Nexis) 26 Apr. Watts gives a beautiful and generous-souled performance as..exactly the sort of wise, calm woman you would want beside you in a crisis.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2009; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.n.1574