Broad, a.
(brawd), a. [compar. BROADER; superl. BROADEST.] [A-S. brād, O. Sax. brēd, D. breed, Icel. breiðr, Sw. & Dan. bred, Ger. breit, Goth. braids.]
Sense 1. Wide; extended in breadth, or from side to side. “A broad area.” Prescott. “Broad, gnarled arms.” Scott.
Sense 2. Extended, in the sense of diffused; spread abroad; open. “Broad and open day.” Porteus.
Sense 3. (Fig.) Extended; having a large measure of any thing or quality;—applied to any subject, and retaining the literal idea more or less clearly, the precise meaning depending largely on the substantive. “A broad mixture of falsehood.” Locke. “In a broad, statesman-like, and masterly way.” Everett.
Broad as long, equal in either of two directions at right angles to each other: hence, the same one way as another. “It is as broad as long, whether they rise to others, or bring others down to them.” L'Estrange. — Broad compliment, one lacking in delicacy. — Broad mirth, coarse mirth. — Broad nonsense, obvious or gross nonsense.
Synonyms—Wide; large; ample; extensive; vast; comprehensive; vulgar; coarse; obscene.