Māg'na-nīm'i-ty, n.

n. [Lat. magnanimitas, Fr. magnanimité, Pr. magnanimitat, It. magnanimità, Sp. magnanimidad.] The quality of being magnanimous; greatness of mind; elevation or dignity of soul, which encounters danger and trouble with tranquillity and firmness, which raises the possessor above revenge, which makes him disdain injustice and meanness, and prompts him to act and sacrifice for noble objects.

Synonyms—MAGNANIMITY, GENEROSITY. In generosity there is more of heart, in magnanimity more of soul. The former is the virtue of an individual, the latter of one who is elevated by station or influence. Magnanimity is shown not only by giving, but by enduring,—by sacrificing one's feelings and interests, or yielding up one's claims for the accomplishment of some noble object. “Strike, but hear me!” has, in like circumstances, been the response of magnanimity in every age.

A generous virtue of a vigorous kind, Pure in the last recesses of the mind. Dryden.

To give a kingdom hath been thought Greater and nobler done, and to lay down Far more magnanimous than to assume. Milton.