Friday words: Munificent and Munificence

(Cross-posting from 1word1day)
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Well, this is my last post in the comm for this year--may the coming year be munificent to all of you, your friends and families! See you in 2017 :)


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munificent, adj. mu·nif·i·cent \myu̇-ˈni-fə-sənt\


1 : very liberal in giving or bestowing : lavish

2 : characterized by great liberality or generosity

munificence, noun
munificently, adverb

Examples:

"A munificent host who has presided over many charitable events at his mansion"

"... I repeat,
The Count your master’s known munificence
Is ample warrant that no just pretence
Of mine for dowry will be disallowed;
Though his fair daughter’s self, as I avowed
At starting, is my object."

(Robert Browning, "My Last Duchess")

Etymology

back-formation from munificence, from Latin munificentia, from munificus generous, from munus service, gift

Did You Know?

Munificent was formed back in the late 1500s when English speakers, perhaps inspired by similar words such as "magnificent," altered the ending of "munificence." "Munificence" in turn comes from "munificus," the Latin word for "generous," which itself comes from "munus," a Latin noun that is variously translated as "gift," "duty," or "service." "Munus" has done a fine service to English by giving us other terms related to service or compensation, including "municipal" and "remunerate."

First Known Use: 1581

"They All Laughed" - SHALL WE DANCE (1937)

Classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.