liberty

noun

1. 1

   The condition of being free.

   The army is here, your liberty is assured.

   Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that "all men are created equal"^([sic])

   But as the philosopher Isaiah Berlin sagely pointed out, liberty for wolves means death to lambs.

   [Edmund] Burke continued to fight for liberty later on in life. He backed Americans in their campaign for freedom from British taxation. He supported Catholic freedoms and freer trade with Ireland, in spite of his constituents’ ire. He wanted more liberal laws on the punishment of debtors.

2. 2

   The condition of being free from imprisonment, slavery or forced labour.

   The prisoners gained their liberty from an underground tunnel.

3. 3

   The condition of being free to act, believe or express oneself as one chooses.

   Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.

   I'd gie my ſhoon frae aff my feet, / To taſte ſic fruit, I ſwear, man. / Syne let us pray, auld England may / Sure plant this far-famed tree, man; / And blythe we'll ſing, and hail the day / That gave us liberty, man.

4. 4

   Freedom from excessive government control.

   The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.

5. 5

   A short period when a sailor is allowed ashore.

   We're going on a three-day liberty as soon as we dock.

6. 6

   A breach of social convention.

   You needn't take such liberties.

7. 7

   historicalA local division of government administration in medieval England.

8. 8

   An empty space next to a group of stones of the same color.

Forms

plural

liberties