largesse
UK: lɑːˈʒes | US: lɑːrˈʒes
n. Generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others.
n. The act or quality of being liberal in giving.
largesse = large<generous> + esse<noun suffix>
- large (from Old French large, meaning "generous, liberal," ultimately from Latin largus "abundant, copious")
- esse (a noun-forming suffix in Old French, derived from Latin -itia or -itiem, indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word largesse entered English in the 13th century from Old French, where it originally conveyed the idea of generosity or liberality. The root large reflects the Latin largus, which meant "plentiful" or "bountiful." Over time, largesse came to specifically denote the act of giving generously, often associated with nobility or high status. The suffix -esse solidifies the term as an abstract noun, emphasizing the quality or state of being generous.
The king's largesse ensured that no one in the kingdom went hungry.
Her largesse extended to funding scholarships for underprivileged students.
The billionaire's largesse was celebrated by the local community.
Critics accused the politician of using public funds to display false largesse.
The festival was made possible by the largesse of several corporate sponsors.