generosity

generosity
A virtue interestingly distinct from the Christian virtue of charity, in that while the latter responds to the needs and deficiencies of others, generosity may be simply the exercise of an abundance, an overflow of good will or benevolence. Aristotle regards it as a correct mean between prodigality and meanness, but others would allow that people can be too generous, so that although they are not quite perfectly tuned, they do not thereby forfeit their title to generosity.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • Generosity — is the habit of giving without coercion. Often equated with charity as a virtue, generosity is widely accepted in society as a desirable habit. In times of natural disaster, relief efforts are frequently provided, voluntarily, by individuals or… …   Wikipedia

  • Generosity — Gen er*os i*ty, n. [L. generositas: cf. F. g[ e]n[ e]rosit[ e].] 1. Noble birth. [Obs.] Harris (Voyages). [1913 Webster] 2. The quality of being noble; noble mindedness. [1913 Webster] Generosity is in nothing more seen than in a candid… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • generosity — index benevolence (disposition to do good), charity, clemency, consideration (sympathetic regard), contribution (donation), indulgence, la …   Law dictionary

  • generosity — (n.) early 15c., nobility, goodness of race, from L. generositatem (nom. generositas) nobility, excellence, magnanimity, from generosus (see GENEROUS (Cf. generous)). Meaning munificence is recorded from 1670s …   Etymology dictionary

  • generosity — [n] spirit of giving all heart*, almsgiving, altruism, beneficence, benevolence, bounteousness, bounty, charitableness, charity, free giving, goodness, heart, high mindedness, hospitality, kindness, largesse, liberality, magnanimity, munificence …   New thesaurus

  • generosity — [jen΄ər äs′ə tē] n. [ME generosite < L generositas < generosus] 1. the quality of being generous; specif., a) nobility of mind; magnanimity b) willingness to give or share; unselfishness 2. pl. generosities a generous act …   English World dictionary

  • generosity — noun ADJECTIVE ▪ extraordinary, great, incredible ▪ boundless, selfless VERB + GENEROSITY ▪ extend, show (sb) …   Collocations dictionary

  • generosity — n. 1) to demonstrate, display, show generosity 2) great, lavish, magnanimous, unstinting generosity 3) (misc.) to abuse smb. s generosity * * * [ˌdʒenə rɒsɪtɪ] display lavish magnanimous show generosity unstinting generosity …   Combinatory dictionary

  • generosity — gen|e|ros|i|ty [ˌdʒenəˈrɔsıti US ˈra: ] n [U] a generous attitude, or generous behaviour ▪ an act of great generosity generosity to/towards ▪ his generosity to the poor ▪ I shall never forget the generosity shown by the people of Bastaisk. acts… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • generosity — [[t]ʤe̱nərɒ̱sɪti[/t]] N UNCOUNT If you refer to someone s generosity, you mean that they are generous, especially in doing or giving more than is usual or expected. There are stories about his generosity, the massive amounts of money he gave to… …   English dictionary

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