a. [ F. généreux, fr. L. generous of noble birth, noble, excellent, magnanimous, fr. genus birth, race: cf. It. generoso. See 2d Gender. ] [ 1913 Webster ] 1. Of honorable birth or origin; highborn. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The generous and gravest citizens. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly reregarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous. “The generous critic.” Pope. “His generous spouse.” Pope. “A generous pack [ of hounds ].” Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Open-handed; free to give; not close or niggardly; munificent; as, a generous friend or father. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing; as, a generous table. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as, generous wine. Syn. -- Magnanimous; bountiful. See Liberal. -- Gen"er*ous*ly, adv. -- Gen"er*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
