magnanimous
adjective (noun = magnanimity, adverb = magnanimously)

- if you are magnanimous, you behave kindly and generously towards someone, especially after defeating them or being treated badly by them

The Collins Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

“Magnanimous” originated in the mid 14th century, from Latin magnanimitās, from magna “big” + animus “soul, spirit” — the virtue of being great of mind and heart. It encompasses, usually, a refusal to be small-minded, a willingness to face danger, and actions for noble purposes.

Probably a loan-translation of Greek megalopsykhos “high-souled, generous” or megathymus “great-hearted”. Having seen the film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, one always has to smile when crediting ancient Greeks for word origins :-)

Magnanimous can refer to being generous with material things, such as gifts or donations of money (His magnanimous donation will contribute to the health and wellness of everyone who uses the centre); or, it can describe an act of kindness or generosity (She has been magnanimous in volunteering her time to help out at the school).

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MAGNA-WORDS

The Latin magna appears in two other English words:

(1) “Magnate” which describes a successful person (The project is being funded by a local real estate magnate)

(2) “Magnum” a large bottle of wine or liquor (We opened a magnum of champagne to celebrate the opening of the new office building)

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GENEROUS JESSE JAMES

As the story goes, Jesse James and his gang once sought food and rest at a lonely farmhouse. The woman there gave them what food she could and apologized for the poor hospitality. A widow and deeply in debt, she was even then waiting for the debt collector to visit her to demand $1,400 which she could not possibly afford to pay.

Jesse James had the cash from his bank raids with him. He gave the astonished woman enough money to pay off her debt, telling her to be sure to get a receipt from the debt collector. Then he and his gang withdrew to watch the road leading to the farmhouse.

Along came the debt collector, looking very serious. A short while later he emerged from the farm, looking altogether more pleased with himself. Jesse James and his men stopped him, recovered their $1,400 and rode off.

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SYNONYMS

- inclined to be generous or to share in abundance

all heart, altruistic, benevolent, big-hearted, charitable, community-minded, contributing, doing good works, donating, generous (to a fault), giving, good-hearted, good Joe, heart in right place, humanitarian, knightly, MAGNANIMOUS, munificent, noble, open-handed, open-hearted, philanthropic(al), Santa Claus, self-sacrificing, selfless, socially concerned (-minded), sportsmanlike, square dealing (shooting), straight shooting, tender-hearted, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting, warm-hearted

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“Mankind's capacity for MAGNANIMITY may offer some hope for the future of our species and life on planet Earth.”

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and,

Paul Smith, IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40