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large - 8 dictionary results

large

  [lahrj] adjective, larg⋅er, larg⋅est, noun, adverb
Use large in a Sentence
–adjective
1. of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great: a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent.
2. on a great scale: a large producer of kitchen equipment.
3. of great scope or range; extensive; broad.
4. grand or pompous: a man given to large, bombastic talk.
5. (of a map, model, etc.) representing the features of the original with features of its own that are relatively large so that great detail may be shown.
6. famous; successful; important: He's very large in financial circles.
7. Obsolete. generous; bountiful; lavish.
8. Obsolete.
a. unrestrained in the use of language; gross; improper.
b. unrestrained in behavior or manner; uninhibited.
9. Nautical. free (def. 33).
–noun
10. Music. the longest note in mensural notation.
11. Obsolete. generosity; bounty.
–adverb
12. Nautical. with the wind free or abaft the beam so that all sails draw fully.
—Idioms
13. at large,
a. free from restraint or confinement; at liberty: The murderer is still at large.
b. to a considerable extent; at length: to treat a subject at large.
c. as a whole; in general: the country at large.
d. Also, at-large. representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it: a delegate at large.
14. in large, on a large scale; from a broad point of view: a problem seen in large. Also, in the large.
Origin:
1125–75; ME < OF < L larga, fem. of largus ample, generous

Related forms:
largeness, noun

Synonyms:
1. huge, enormous, immense, gigantic, colossal; massive; vast. See great.

Antonyms:
1. small.

free

  [free] adjective, fre⋅er, fre⋅est, adverb, verb, freed, free⋅ing.
–adjective
1. enjoying personal rights or liberty, as a person who is not in slavery: a land of free people.
2. pertaining to or reserved for those who enjoy personal liberty: They were thankful to be living on free soil.
3. existing under, characterized by, or possessing civil and political liberties that are, as a rule, constitutionally guaranteed by representative government: the free nations of the world.
4. enjoying political autonomy, as a people or country not under foreign rule; independent.
5. exempt from external authority, interference, restriction, etc., as a person or one's will, thought, choice, action, etc.; independent; unrestricted.
6. able to do something at will; at liberty: free to choose.
7. clear of obstructions or obstacles, as a road or corridor: The highway is now free of fallen rock.
8. not occupied or in use: I'll try to phone her again if the line is free.
9. exempt or released from something specified that controls, restrains, burdens, etc. (usually fol. by from or of): free from worry; free of taxes.
10. having immunity or being safe (usually fol. by from): free from danger.
11. provided without, or not subject to, a charge or payment: free parking; a free sample.
12. given without consideration of a return or reward: a free offer of legal advice.
13. unimpeded, as motion or movement; easy, firm, or swift.
14. not held fast; loose; unattached: to get one's arm free.
15. not joined to or in contact with something else: The free end of the cantilever sagged.
16. acting without self-restraint or reserve: to be too free with one's tongue.
17. ready or generous in giving; liberal; lavish: to be free with one's advice.
18. given readily or in profusion; unstinted.
19. frank and open; unconstrained, unceremonious, or familiar.
20. unrestrained by decency; loose or licentious: free behavior.
21. not subject to special regulations, restrictions, duties, etc.: The ship was given free passage.
22. of, pertaining to, or characterized by free enterprise: a free economy.
23. that may be used by or is open to all: a free market.
24. engaged in by all present; general: a free fight.
25. not literal, as a translation, adaptation, or the like; loose.
26. uncombined chemically: free oxygen.
27. traveling without power; under no force except that of gravity or inertia: free flight.
28. Phonetics. (of a vowel) situated in an open syllable (opposed to checked ).
29. at liberty to enter and enjoy at will (usually fol. by of): to be free of a friend's house.
30. not subject to rules, set forms, etc.: The young students had an hour of free play between classes.
31. easily worked, as stone, land, etc.
32. Mathematics. (of a vector) having specified magnitude and direction but no specified initial point. Compare bound 1 (def. 9).
33. Also, large. Nautical. (of a wind) nearly on the quarter, so that a sailing vessel may sail free.
34. not containing a specified substance (often used in combination): a sugar-free soft drink.
35. (of a linguistic form) occurring as an independent construction, without necessary combination with other forms, as most words. Compare bound 1 (def. 11).
36. without cost, payment, or charge.
–adverb
37. in a free manner; freely.
38. Nautical. away from the wind, so that a sailing vessel need not be close-hauled: running free.
–verb (used with object)
39. to make free; set at liberty; release from bondage, imprisonment, or restraint.
40. to exempt or deliver (usually fol. by from).
41. to relieve or rid (usually fol. by of): to free oneself of responsibility.
42. to disengage; clear (usually fol. by from or of).
—Verb phrase
43. free up,
a. to release, as from restrictions: Congress voted to free up funds for the new highway system.
b. to disentangle: It took an hour to free up the traffic jam.
—Idioms
44. for free, Informal. without charge: The tailor mended my jacket for free.
45. free and clear, Law. without any encumbrance, as a lien or mortgage: They owned their house free and clear.
46. free and easy,
a. unrestrained; casual; informal.
b. excessively or inappropriately casual; presumptuous.
47. make free with,
a. to use as one's own; help oneself to: If you make free with their liquor, you won't be invited again.
b. to treat with too much familiarity; take liberties with.
48. set free, to release; liberate; free: The prisoners were set free.
49. with a free hand, generously; freely; openhandedly: He entertains visitors with a free hand.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME fre, OE frēo; c. Goth freis, OHG frī (G frei), D vrij, Skt priyá- dear. Cf. friend, Friday

Related forms:
freeness, noun

Synonyms:
49. See release.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To large
large   (lärj)   
adj.   larg·er, larg·est
  1. Of greater than average size, extent, quantity, or amount; big.
  2. Of greater than average scope, breadth, or capacity; comprehensive.
  3. Important; significant: had a large role in the negotiations; a large producer of paper goods.
    1. Understanding and tolerant; liberal: a large and generous spirit.
    2. Of great magnitude or intensity; grand: "a rigid resistance to the large emotions" (Stephen Koch).
    3. Pretentious; boastful. Used of speech or manners.
    4. Obsolete Gross; coarse. Used of speech or language.
    1. Pretentious; boastful. Used of speech or manners.
    2. Obsolete Gross; coarse. Used of speech or language.
  6. Nautical Favorable. Used of a wind.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin largus, generous.]
large'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean being notably above the average in size or magnitude: a large sum of money; a big brown barn; a great ocean liner.
Antonym: small
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Large

Large\, a. [Compar. Larger; superl. Largest.] [F., fr. L. largus. Cf. Largo.]

1. Exceeding most other things of like kind in bulk, capacity, quantity, superficial dimensions, or number of constituent units; big; great; capacious; extensive; -- opposed to small; as, a large horse; a large house or room; a large lake or pool; a large jug or spoon; a large vineyard; a large army; a large city.

Note: For linear dimensions, and mere extent, great, and not large, is used as a qualifying word; as, great length, breadth, depth; a great distance; a great height.

2. Abundant; ample; as, a large supply of provisions.

We hare yet large day. --Milton.

3. Full in statement; diffuse; full; profuse.

I might be very large upon the importance and advantages of education. -- Felton.

4. Having more than usual power or capacity; having broad sympathies and generous impulses; comprehensive; -- said of the mind and heart.

5. Free; unembarrassed. [Obs.]

Of burdens all he set the Paynims large. --Fairfax.

6. Unrestrained by decorum; -- said of language. [Obs.] "Some large jests he will make." --Shak.

7. Prodigal in expending; lavish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

8. (Naut.) Crossing the line of a ship's course in a favorable direction; -- said of the wind when it is abeam, or between the beam and the quarter.

At large. (a) Without restraint or confinement; as, to go at large; to be left at large. (b) Diffusely; fully; in the full extent; as, to discourse on a subject at large.

Common at large. See under Common, n.

Electors at large, Representative at large, electors, or a representative, as in Congress, chosen to represent the whole of a State, in distinction from those chosen to represent particular districts in a State. [U. S.]

To give, go, run, or sail large (Naut.), to have the wind crossing the direction of a vessel's course in such a way that the sails feel its full force, and the vessel gains its highest speed. See Large, a., 8.

Syn: Big; bulky; huge; capacious; comprehensive; ample; abundant; plentiful; populous; copious; diffusive; liberal.

Large

Large\, adv. Freely; licentiously. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

Large

Large\, n. (Mus.) A musical note, formerly in use, equal to two longs, four breves, or eight semibreves.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : large
Spanish: grande,
German: groß,
Japanese: 大きな
More Translations »

large 
c.1175, "bountiful," from O.Fr. large "broad, wide," from L. largus "abundant, copious, plentiful, liberal," of unknown origin. Main modern meaning "extensive, big" emerged c.1300. An older sense of "liberated, free" is preserved in at large (1399). Adj. phrase larger-than-life first attested 1937 (bigger than life is from 1641).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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large

see at large; big (large) as life; by and large; cog in the (a large) wheel; in some (large) measure; loom large; writ large.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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