Today’s lesson in Word Power is to understand the etymology and history behind the word liberal.
Liberal: [lib-er-al]
(Adj.)
- Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
- Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behaviors of others; broad-minded.
(Noun)
- A person with liberal ideas or opinions.
- A member of a Liberal political party. (American Heritage Dictionary)
Etymology
Understanding the etymology of the word liberal is relatively simple. Like most words that are used today, liberal has its roots in the Latin language. The word liberal is directly derived from the Latin word liberalis, meaning of freedom or relating to freedom. However, in order to fully understand the etymology we need to take apart the Latin word liberalis. To do so, we must separate the word into two Latin words, liber and alis.
Liber, libera, liberum
Liber is a Latin adjective meaning free, unrestricted, unrestrained, etc. The adjective liber is likely derived from the Latin verb libero, liberare, liberavi, liberatus, which means to set free. Liber could also be used as a substantive adjective within the context of the Latin language, meaning a freeman or freedom. There are many words that we use today with the word liber in them, such as liberty, liberation, and liberator.
Alis
Alis is an older Latin form of the word, alius. Alius, alia, aliud is another adjective which typically means another, other, etc. Throughout the centuries of linguistic evolution that followed, alius turned into the suffix -al. Eventually, -al was attached to the end of words to change that word into an adjective, such as economical or political. Another common way that we see the word alis used today is when you use the abbreviation et al. for et alii, which literally means “and others”.
Summary
So there you have it, the Romans combined the two adjectives liber and alis to form one word, liberalis. Over the years that ensued through infusion of the Latin language into Old French and then Middle English, the last two letters -is dropped off to form the word liberal. Taken literally and in Latin context, liberalis means another matter of freedom. The word liberal became a component of everyday speech during the Age of Enlightenment (1637-1778) and had a hand in labeling the changing philosophy at the time of the American Revolution.
Extra Credit
The American Revolution was incited on the grounds that all men had a basic inalienable right to pursue liberty. During the Age of Enlightenment philosophers, such as John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, heavily influenced the founding fathers of this great nation with thought of individual freedoms. Their writings and philosophies served as the catalyst for our fore-fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and John Adams to orchestrate a revolt from British tyranny and oppression. Over the years that followed the American Revolution, the word liberal took on a new meaning in U.S. politics such that it described an individual or group that desired to have government action affect social change.
Image Used In This Post
Portrait of Thomas Jefferson image courtesy of Flickr user Cliff1066 published under the CC license.
Tune in this Tuesday for a Word Power special on the breakdown of the word Election.
7 Comments
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Ahh, my favorite word…simultaneously representing the logic of freedom and unnecessary revolution.
A liberal application is great when you are applying sun tan lotion or skin ointment, however, is horrible when vegan, anti-war, anti-religion, socialist-extremists grab a loop-hole in the constitution and run with it as their shield (cough…ACLU).
The liberal throws everything against the wall to see if it sticks while the conservative knows that a nail or pre-built picture hanger is the best way to hang something simply because it is “what works”.
While a conservative fires a gun straight up in the air, not caring where the bullet will land as long as it doesn’t land on their head, the liberal will flat out shoot someone in the face, delivering the inevitable consequence of firing a gun to immediate attention.
On the other hand, where would we be without our liberal founding fathers of this great country who stood up against the church?
Where would we be if we could not freely assemble and criticize the decisions of our commander-in-chief without fear of decapitation?
Where would mankind and civilization be without the revolutionary changes brought forward by the liberal?
Here is to you, super intelligent liberal person (…Real American Genius).
On this day, I thank you for experimenting with change for I get to observe what works and what doesn’t based on your successes and failures.
Aurora Liberalis?
Could it be said that the liberal has the audacity of hope to make the changes that seem unattainable, and the conservative always fears the change that doesn’t have proof of success?
Andrew, that is a fair statement.
Senator Joe Conservatman from Connecticut?
Our gravatars all lean to the right.