liberty
UK: ˈlɪbəti | US: ˈlɪbərti
n. the state of being free from oppressive restrictions or control
n. the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wishes
n. a legal or formal right or privilege
liberty = liber<free> + ty<noun suffix>
- liber (from Latin liber, meaning "free")
- ty (a noun-forming suffix indicating state or condition, from Latin -tas)
Etymology Origin:
The word "liberty" traces back to Latin libertas, derived from liber ("free"). It entered Middle English via Old French liberte, retaining its core meaning of freedom from restraint. The suffix -ty (Latin -tas) generalizes the concept into an abstract state. Historically, "liberty" evolved from legal and social freedoms in Roman society to broader philosophical and political ideals in modern usage.
The statue symbolizes liberty and justice for all.
Citizens fought for their liberty during the revolution.
Academic liberty allows scholars to pursue truth without censorship.
The prisoner was finally granted liberty after years of wrongful imprisonment.
Personal liberty must be balanced with social responsibility.