Word of the Day : February 1, 2019

largesse \lahr-ZHESS\ noun

Definition

1 : liberal giving (as of money) to or as if to an inferior; also : something so given

2 : generosity

Did You Know?

The word largesse, which also can be spelled largess, has been part of the English language since at least the 13th century. It derives via Anglo-French from the Latin word largus, meaning "abundant" or "generous." Largus is also the source of our word large. As far back as the 14th century, we used the word largeness as a synonym of largesse (meaning "liberal giving"), but largeness was also at that same time being used more frequently as it is now: to refer to physical magnitude and bulk rather than to magnanimity.

Aired February 1, 2019

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