Word of the Day : March 31, 2017

munificent \myoo-NIF-uh-sunt\ adjective

Definition

1 : very liberal in giving or bestowing : lavish

2 : characterized by great liberality or generosity

Examples

"On the hill, where kites used to be flown, stood the fine college which Mr. Laurence's munificent legacy had built." — Louisa May Alcott, Jo's Boys, 1886

"Each taco is $3, and each is munificent. You might not manage more than two." — Ligaya Mishan, The New York Times, 9 Dec. 2016

Did You Know?

Munificent was formed back in the late 1500s when English speakers, perhaps inspired by similar words such as magnificent, altered the ending of munificence. Munificence in turn comes from munificus, the Latin word for "generous," which itself comes from munus, a Latin noun that is variously translated as "gift," "duty," or "service." Munus has done a fine service to English by giving us other terms related to service or compensation, including municipal and remunerate.

Aired March 31, 2017

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