Lias, lī′as, n. (geol.) a formation of argillaceous limestone, &c., underlying the oolitic system.—adj. Lias′sic, pertaining to the lias formation. [Fr., perh. Bret. liach, a stone, Gael. leac, a stone.]
Lib, lib, v.t. (prov.) to geld, castrate.
Libation, lī-bā′shun, n. the pouring forth wine or other liquid in honour of a deity: the liquid poured.—adj. Lī′bant, sipping.—v.t. Lī′bate (rare), to make a libation to.—adj. Lī′batory, pertaining to libation. [L. libation-em—libāre, -ātum; Gr. leibein, to pour.]
Libbard, lib′bard, n. (Spens.) a leopard.
Libeccio, li-bech′ō, n. the south-west wind. [It.]
Libel, lī′bel, n. a written accusation: any malicious defamatory publication or statement: (law) the statement of a plaintiff's grounds of complaint against a defendant.—v.t. to defame by a libel: to satirise unfairly: (law) to proceed against by producing a written complaint:—pr.p. lī′belling; pa.t. and pa.p. lī′belled.—ns. Lī′bellant, one who brings a libel; Lī′beller; Lī′belling, defaming.—adj. Lī′bellous, containing a libel: defamatory.—adv. Lī′bellously. [L. libellus, dim. of liber, a book.]
Liber, lī′ber, n. the bast or inner bark of exogenous plants: a book. [L.]
Liberal, lib′ėr-al, adj. becoming a gentleman: generous: noble-minded: candid: free: free from restraint: general, extensive.—n. one who advocates greater freedom in political institutions.—n. Liberalisā′tion, the process of making liberal.—v.t. Lib′eralise, to make liberal, or enlightened: to enlarge.—ns. Lib′eralism, the principles of a Liberal in politics or religion; Liberal′ity, the quality of being liberal: generosity: largeness or nobleness of mind: candour: impartiality.—adv. Lib′erally.—v.t. Lib′erāte, to set free: to release from restraint, confinement, or bondage.—ns. Liberā′tion; Liberā′tionist, one who is in favour of church disestablishment; Lib′erātor, one who liberates or frees.—adj. Lib′erātory, tending to liberate.—Liberal Party, the name adopted by the Whigs (1830) to denote the body formed by their union with the Radicals; Liberal Unionist, one of that section of the Liberal Party which joined the Conservatives from inability to accede to Mr Gladstone's policy of giving Home Rule to Ireland (1886); German Liberals, a party in German politics, formed by the amalgamation of the Progressist party and the Liberal union, and advocating moderate liberalism in opposition to the policy of Prince Bismarck; National Liberals, a party in German politics which before 1871 advocated the completion of governmental unity in Germany, as well as supported progressive measures of reform. [Fr.,—L. liberalis, befitting a freeman—liber, free, akin to libet, lubet, it pleases.]
Liberty, lib′ėr-ti, n. freedom to do as one pleases: the unrestrained enjoyment of natural rights: power of free choice: privilege: exemption: relaxation of restraint: the bounds within which certain privileges are enjoyed: freedom of speech or action beyond ordinary civility.—ns. Libertā′rian, one who believes in free-will as opposed to necessity; Libertā′rianism, the doctrine of the freedom of the will, as opposed to necessitarianism; Liber′ticide, a destroyer of liberty; Liber′tinage, debauchery; Lib′ertine, formerly one who professed free opinions, esp. in religion: one who leads a licentious life, a rake or debauchee.—adj. belonging to a freedman: unrestrained: licentious.—n. Lib′ertinism, licentiousness of opinion or practice: lewdness or debauchery.—Liberty of indifference, freedom of the will—because before action the will is undetermined as to acting or not acting; Liberty of the press, liberty to print and publish without previous permission from government.—Cap of liberty (see Bonnet rouge, under Bonnet); Religious liberty, the right of thinking about religion or of worshipping as one likes. [Fr.,—L. libertas.]
Libidinous, li-bid′in-us, adj. lustful, lascivious, lewd.—ns. Libid′inist, a lewd person; Libidinos′ity, Libid′inousness.—adv. Libid′inously. [Fr.,—L. libidinosus—libido, desire—libet, lubet, it pleases.]