[ˈlɪb(ə)rəl], (Adjective)

Definitions:
- willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one's own; open to new ideas
(e.g: they have liberal views on divorce)

- relating to or denoting a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise
(e.g: a liberal democratic state)

- relating to a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party
(e.g: the Liberal leader)

- given, used, or occurring in generous amounts
(e.g: liberal amounts of wine had been consumed)

- (of education) concerned with broadening a person's general knowledge and experience, rather than with technical or professional training
(e.g: the provision of liberal adult education)

- (especially of an interpretation of a law) broadly construed or understood; not strictly literal or exact
(e.g: they could have given the 1968 Act a more liberal interpretation)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin liberalis, from liber ‘free (man)’. The original sense was ‘suitable for a free man’, hence ‘suitable for a gentleman’ (one not tied to a trade), surviving in liberal arts. Another early sense ‘generous’ (compare with liberal) gave rise to an obsolete meaning ‘free from restraint’, leading to liberal (late 18th century)

[ˈlɪb(ə)rəl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a supporter of policies that are socially progressive and promote social welfare
(e.g: are we dealing with a polarization between liberals and conservatives?)

- a supporter of a political and social philosophy that promotes individual rights, civil liberties, democracy, and free enterprise
(e.g: classical liberals emphasized the right of the individual to make decisions, even if the results dismayed their neighbours or injured themselves)

- a supporter or member of a Liberal party or (in the UK) the Liberal Democrat Party
(e.g: the Liberals are looking to defend a seat in Tuebrook and Stoneycroft)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin liberalis, from liber ‘free (man)’. The original sense was ‘suitable for a free man’, hence ‘suitable for a gentleman’ (one not tied to a trade), surviving in liberal arts. Another early sense ‘generous’ (compare with liberal) gave rise to an obsolete meaning ‘free from restraint’, leading to liberal (late 18th century)