magnanime

magnanimous, generous

adjective man-ya-NEEM Rare

Origin: from Latin magnanimus (great-souled): magnus (great) + animus (spirit)

Usage Note

Magnanime describes a person who is noble and generous in spirit, especially when in a position of power and choosing not to punish or retaliate. The abstract noun is magnanimité. It is a formal or literary word; in everyday speech généreux or noble cover much of the same ground. The antonym is mesquin (petty, mean-spirited).

Examples

"Le vainqueur fut magnanime envers ses adversaires vaincus."

Natural Translation

The winner was magnanimous toward his defeated opponents.

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