Lĭb'er-ty, n.
n. [Fr. liberté, Pr. libertat, Sp. libertad, Pg. liberdade, It. libertà, Lat. libertus, from liber, free.]
Sense 1. The state of a freeman; ability to do as one pleases; freedom from restraint.
For liberty of person and the right of self-preservation is much nearer, much more natural, and more worth to all men than the propriety of their goods and wealth. Milton.
Sense 2. A privilege conferred by a superior power; permission granted; leave; as, liberty given to a child to play, or to a witness to leave a court, and the like.
Sense 3. Privilege; exemption; franchise; immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant; as, the liberties of the commercial cities of Europe.
His majesty gave not an entire county to any; much less did he grant . . . any extraordinary liberties. Davies.
Sense 4. The place within which certain privileges or immunities are enjoyed, or jurisdiction is exercised; as, the liberties of a city. [Eng.]
The said William . . . should be brought forth into some public or open place within the liberty of the city, and there really to be burned. Fuller.
Sense 5. A certain amount of freedom; permission to go about freely within certain limits, as in a place of confinement; also, the place or limits within which such freedom or privilege is exercised; as, the liberties of a prison.
Sense 6. Freedom from, or neglect of observance of, the laws of etiquette, propriety, or courtesy; as, to take a liberty.
He was repeatedly provoked into striking those who had taken liberties with him. Macaulay.
Sense 7. The power of choice; freedom from physical or fatal necessity; freedom from compulsion or constraint in willing.
Sense 8. (Man.) A curve or arch in that part of the bit placed in the mouth of a horse, in order to afford room for the tongue of the animal.
At liberty, free; unrestrained; unconfined. — Civil or political liberty, freedom of a state from external control, or the freedom of the inhabitants of a state from an interference with their natural rights. — Liberty of the press, freedom to print or publish without legal supervision. — Liberty party, the party, in the American Revolution, which favored independence from England; in more recent usage, a party favoring the emancipation of the slaves. — Liberty-pole, a flag-staff surmounted with the symbols of liberty. [U. S.] — Moral liberty, that liberty of choice which is essential to moral responsibility. — Religious liberty, freedom of religious opinion or worship.
Synonyms— Leave; permission; license. See LEAVE. — LIBERTY, FREEDOM. These words, though often interchanged, are distinct in some of their applications. Liberty has reference to previous restraint, freedom to the simple, spontaneous exercise of our powers. A slave is set at liberty; his master had always been in a state of freedom. A prisoner under trial may ask liberty (exemption from restraint) to speak his sentiments with freedom (the unrepressed and bold utterance of his feelings). The liberty of the press is our great security for freedom of thought.
Yet know, withal, Since thy original lapse, true liberty Is lost, which always with right reason dwells. Milton.
O freedom, first delight of human kind! Slaves are made citizens by turning round. Dryden.