Word of the Day

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

largess

\lar-ZHES; lar-JES; LAR-jes\ , noun;

Generous giving (as of gifts or money), often accompanied by condescension.

Gifts, money, or other valuables so given.

Generosity; liberality.

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Quotes:

Four years after her marriage she exclaimed giddily over her father-in-law's largess: "He has given Waldorf the Waldorf Astoria Hotel for a birthday present!"

-- Stacy Schiff, "Otherwise Engaged", New York Times, March 19, 2000

The recipients of Johnson's largesse were understandably indifferent to what propelled him.

-- Robert Dallek, Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973

A swelling chorus has arisen recently to complain that the PRI has been up to its old tricks, showering voters with largesse (ranging from washing machines to bicycles and cash).

-- "Mexico's vote", Economist, June 24, 2000

Origin:

Largess is from Old French largesse, "largeness, generosity," from large, from Latin largus, "plentiful, generous."