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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary mag·na·nim·i·ty (plural -ties) DATE 14th century 1. the quality of being magnanimous : loftiness of spirit enabling one to bear trouble calmly, to disdain meanness and pettiness, and to display a noble generosity 2. a magnanimous act English Etymology magnanimity mid-14c., "loftiness of thought or purpose," from O.Fr .magnanimite "high-mindedness," from L. magnanimitatem (nom.magnanimitas) "greatness of soul, high-mindedness," from magnanimus "having a great soul," from magnus "great" (see magnate) + animus "mind, soul, spirit." Probably a loan-translation of Gk. megalopsychos "high-souled, generous" (Aristotle) or megathymus "great-hearted."http://O.Fr Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged mag·na·nim·i·ty \ˌmagnəˈniməd.ē, ˌmaig-, -mətē, -i\ noun (-es) Etymology: Middle English magnanimite, from Middle French magnanimité, from Latin magnanimitat-, magnanimitas, from magnanimus + -itat-, -itas -ity 1. a. : a loftiness of spirit enabling one to sustain danger and trouble with tranquillity, firmness, and courage < can bear whatever happens with manlike magnanimity — James Harris > < was not wanting in a sense of the magnanimity of warriors — Walter Pater > b. archaic : a loftiness of ambition and outlook < that magnanimity of soul which delights in bold enterprises — William Robertson †1793 > 2. a. : a nobility of feeling that is superior to meanness, pettiness, or jealousy and that disdains revenge or retaliation : generosity of mind < nothing pays richer dividends than magnanimity — W.E.Binkley > < an opportunity for magnanimity … to unite a country that seems at times to be hopelessly divided — M.W.Childs > < magnanimity, which was her chosen attitude, was often a strain to her — Mary Austin > b. : an instance of magnanimity — usually used in plural < all her thoughts may like the linnet be … dispensing round their magnanimities of sound — W.B.Yeats > |
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