Largesce

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Open-handed generosity in giving to others ; the gifts or money bestowed freely on people, often by someone of high rank
2. A liberal, bountiful spirit in bestowing favours ; presents or sums of money handed out generously, especially by a wealthy or powerful person
3. The quality of being bountiful and munificent toward others ; the valuables or benefits given away freely as a kindness or largesse of rank

Etymology: Largesce is an older English spelling of largesse, borrowed from Old French, where the word meant generosity, especially a lord's open-handed gifts to his followers. The French word comes from Latin "largitio", a bestowing or giving freely, which grew from the verb "largiri", to bestow, and ultimately from "largus", meaning abundant or copious. The Latin root shows the core idea: a generous person gives from plenty. English kept that sense of bountiful giving, which is why the word has long described both the act of giving and the gift itself.

Synonyms: largess, generosity, liberality

Antonyms: stinginess, meanness