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magnanimous

- 3 dictionary results

mag⋅nan⋅i⋅mous

  [mag-nan-uh-muhs]
Use magnanimous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. generous in forgiving an insult or injury; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness: to be magnanimous toward one's enemies.
2. high-minded; noble: a just and magnanimous ruler.
3. proceeding from or revealing generosity or nobility of mind, character, etc.: a magnanimous gesture of forgiveness.
Origin:
1575–85; < L magnanimus great-souled, equiv. to magn(us) magn- + anim(us) spirit, soul, mind + -us -ous

Related forms:
mag⋅nan⋅i⋅mous⋅ly, adverb
mag⋅nan⋅i⋅mous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. big, liberal, unspiteful. 2. See noble.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To magnanimous
mag·nan·i·mous   (māg-nān'ə-məs)   
adj.  
  1. Courageously noble in mind and heart.
  2. Generous in forgiving; eschewing resentment or revenge; unselfish.

[From Latin magnanimus : magnus, great; see meg- in Indo-European roots + animus, soul, mind; see anə- in Indo-European roots.]
mag·nan'i·mous·ly adv., mag·nan'i·mous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Magnanimous

Mag*nan"i*mous\, a.[L. magnanimus; magnus great + animus mind. See Magnate, and Animus.]

1. Great of mind; elevated in soul or in sentiment; raised above what is low, mean, or ungenerous; of lofty and courageous spirit; as, a magnanimous character; a magnanimous conqueror.

Be magnanimous in the enterprise. --Shak.

To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to law down Far more magnanimousan to assume. --Milton.

2. Dictated by or exhibiting nobleness of soul; honorable; noble; not selfish.

Both strived for death; magnanimous debate. --Stirling.

There is an indissoluble union between a magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity. --Washington.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : magnanimous
Spanish: magnánimo,
German: großmütig,
Japanese: おおらかな
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