largesse

/lɑːˈ(d)ʒɛs/

Etymology

From Middle English larges, largess, largesse [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman largece, largesce, Middle French largece, largesce, largesse, and Old French largesce (“breadth, width; request for a monetary gift; (act of) generous giving; (chiefly in the plural) generous gift; generosity, liberality”) (in Anglo-Norman also “liberty; privilege”; modern French largesse), from large (“big, large; generous; wide”).

largesse means The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 74 out of 100.

Why this word is great

LARGESSE — [Noun] The generous or liberal bestowal of gifts, money, or favors, often by a superior or on a special occasion. From Middle English larges, largesse, from Anglo-Norman and Old French largesce, largesse, from Old French large ("generous, abundant"). Unlike munificence, which implies a princely, monumental scale, or charity, which is rooted in the relief of suffering, largesse is the performative act of giving from assured abundance, often to display power or cement loyalty. It is the heavy, warm weight of a gold coin pressed into a palm; the scent of spiced wine and roasted meat spilling from the manor gates; the deliberate, public unfurling of a bolt of velvet for a favored retainer—a calculated rain from above that leaves the subtle, metallic taste of obligation beneath the sweetness of the gift.

noun

The trait of being willing to donate money, resources, or time; generosity, liberality.“There is no creature impure or vncleane, yf the conſcience of hym that vſeth it be pure and cleane. And albeit there were any impuritie in the meate, yet with himnes wherwith the larges of god is prayſed before meate and with holy wordes and prayers it ſhoulde be made holy and pure, that before was vncleane.”
Often preceded by do, give, or make: the generous or liberal giving of gifts or money, especially by someone of high standing on a special occasion; also, excessive or wasteful giving.“In such case, certainly I would accept / Your bounty: better I than alien hearts / Should execute your planned benevolence / To man, your proposed largess to the Church.”
Money, etc., given in this way.“[F]or our coffers vvith too great a court, / And liberall larges are grovven ſomevvhat light, / VVe are inforſt to farm our royall Realme, / The reuenevv vvhereof ſhall furniſh vs, / For our affaires in hand […]”
Abundance of something (chiefly beneficial), regarded as having been given generously.“The man to ſolitude accuſtomed long, / Perceives in every thing that lives a tongue; / […] / After long drought, vvhen rains abundant fall, / He hears the herbs and flovvers rejoicing all: / Knovvs vvhat the freſhneſs of their hue implies, / Hovv glad they catch the largeſs of the skies; […]”
Chiefly in the form at one's largesse: freedom or liberty to act.“This captaine then falling in companie vvith a knot of Caualieros, and diſcourſing of the largeſſe & liberty, vvhich ſouldiers enjoy in Italie, in a certaine demand, vvhich one of them made him, he gaue him the you becauſe he vvas native of that place, and the ſonne of meane parents, born in a village of ſome fevv houſes: […]”
An act of donating or giving generously.“So theſe loſing the true glory of virtue vvhich every one ought to have, flie to that vvhich depends upon complaiſance vvith others, courting vulgar applauſe vvith Largeſſes and feaſts.”