munificent

[myoo-nif-uh-suh nt] /myuˈnɪf ə sənt/
adjective
1.
extremely liberal in giving; very generous.
2.
characterized by great generosity:
a munificent bequest.
Origin
1575-85; back formation from Latin mūnificentia generosity, munificence, equivalent to mūnific(us) generous (muni-, combining form of mūnus gift + -ficus -fic) + -entia -ence
Related forms
munificence, munificentness, noun
munificently, adverb
unmunificent, adjective
unmunificently, adverb
Can be confused
beneficent, munificent.
magnificent, munificent (see synonym study at magnificent)
Synonyms
1. bountiful, bounteous, lavish. See generous.
Antonyms
1. niggardly.
Examples from the web for munificent
  • For the hired help in the classrooms and labs at these and other universities, the coaches' pay is beyond munificent.
  • The core idea of applying human intelligence to aid searches has a long and munificent history on the web.
  • Rather, they would be munificent givers of foreign aid, vigorous investors abroad and profuse lenders.
  • This system provides France's pensioners with a munificent standard of living, averaging 97% of that of the working population.
  • The rewards were immediate and munificent.
  • Stockmarket returns in the developed world over the next few years seem likely to be less munificent than in the 1990s.
  • Only my grandmother appears sanguine and munificent in her recliner.
  • Some of the thieves are drivers of munificent ability.
  • If they guess wrong they make a salary but if they are lucky they get a munificent bonus.
  • It is a most munificent gift, and will justly elicit the thanks of the public.
British Dictionary definitions for munificent

munificent

/mjuːˈnɪfɪsənt/
adjective
1.
(of a person) very generous; bountiful
2.
(of a gift) generous; liberal
Derived Forms
munificence, munificentness, noun
munificently, adverb
Word Origin
C16: back formation from Latin mūnificentia liberality, from mūnificus, from mūnus gift + facere to make
Word Origin and History for munificent
adj.

1580s, back-formation from munificence, or else from Latin munificent-, stem of munificus "bountiful, liberal, generous" (see munificence).