Willing to give more of something, such as money, time, or kindness, than is necessary or expected.
From Old French *generous* and Latin *generosus* meaning “noble, of noble birth.” Over time, the meaning moved from social class to moral quality: having a noble, giving spirit. It now describes actions and attitudes, not ancestry.
Calling someone ‘generous’ is like saying they act like old-time nobility were supposed to act, regardless of their background. The word quietly flips status: you’re not generous because you’re important — you’re important because you’re generous.
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