liberal

Where does the word "liberal" come from? It comes from Latin liber, passing through Latin and Old French before entering English (1300s).

Liberal’s story begins in Latin: liber meant “free.” The 'liberal arts' were the studies fit for free men. Within Latin, it grew into liberalis by ancient. Of freedom, befitting a free person, generous, from liber. From there it passed into Old French as liberal by medieval. Carried into French for someone generous and open-minded. It reached English by 1300s as liberal. Settled as the English word for open-minded, generous, and supportive of individual freedom. Today, liberal means open to new ideas, generous, or supportive of individual freedom and reform.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient liber "free", the 'liberal arts' were the studies fit for free men.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient liberalis "of freedom, generous", of freedom, befitting a free person, generous, from liber.
3. Stage 3 · Old French · medieval liberal "generous and open-minded", carried into French for someone generous and open-minded.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s liberal "open-minded and supportive of individual freedom and progress", settled as the English word for open-minded, generous, and supportive of individual freedom.