ˈlɪbətɪ n. (pl. -ies) 1 a
freedom from captivity, imprisonment,
slavery, or despotic
control. b a
personification of
this. 2 a
the right or
power to do as
one pleases. b (foll. by to + infin.) right, power,
opportunity,
permission. c Philos. freedom from control by
fate or
necessity. 3 a (usu. in pl.) a right,
privilege, or
immunity, enjoyed by
prescription or
grant. b (in
sing. or pl.)
hist. an
area having
such privileges
etc.,
esp. a
district controlled by a
city though outside its boundary or an area outside a
prison where some prisoners might
reside. 4
setting aside of rules or
convention. øat liberty 1
free,
not imprisoned (set at liberty). 2 (foll. by to + infin.) entitled, permitted. 3
available, disengaged. Liberty Bell (in the US) a bell in Philadelphia rung at the adoption of the
Declaration of
Independence. liberty
boat Brit. Naut. a boat carrying liberty
men. liberty
bodice a close-fitting under-bodice. liberty
hall a
place where one
may do as one likes. liberty
horse a horse performing in a
circus without a
rider. liberty
man Brit. Naut. a
sailor with leave to go
ashore. liberty of the
subject the rights of a subject
under constitutional rule. Liberty
ship hist. a prefabricated US-built
freighter of the
war of 1939-45.
take liberties 1 (often foll. by with)
behave in an unduly
familiar manner. 2 (foll. by with) deal freely or superficially with rules or facts. take the liberty (foll. by to + infin., or of +
verbal noun)
presume,
venture. [ME f. OF libert÷ f. L libertas -tatis f.
liber free]
