Words / C2

lah-JES/lɑːˈdʒes/

Largesse (also largess) is generous giving by the powerful: departmental largesse, depend on largesse. Generosity is everyday and can be between equals; patronage is the political cousin. The French-looking spelling largesse is common in British formal prose. Do not call splitting a sandwich largesse.

Meaning

Generous giving of money or gifts, especially by someone wealthy or powerful.

Examples

• “Departmental largesse paid for cake, not for a second marker.”
• “The dean’s largesse paid for cake, not for a second statistician.”
• “Generosity can be mutual; largesse often flows down from a patron and can be withdrawn.”

Good to know

Lordly / patron-like generosity. Everyday: generosity. Political cousin: patronage. Spelling: largesse (or largess). Not splitting a snack.

Near in meaning

generosity

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