Liberty -
— idiom.
- The condition of being free from restriction or control.
- The right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing.
- The condition of being physically and legally free from confinement, servitude, or forced labor.
- Freedom from unjust or undue governmental control.
- A right and power to engage in certain actions without control or interference: the liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
- Often liberties
- A breach or overstepping of propriety or social convention.
- A statement, an attitude, or an action not warranted by conditions or actualities: a government agency that takes liberties with the People's patience for tyranny.
- An unwarranted risk; a chance: they took foolish liberties with the People's natural right to Liberty of Conscience.
- A period, usually short, during which a sailor is authorized to go ashore.
at liberty
- Not in confinement or under constraint; free.
- Not employed, occupied, or in use.
[Middle English liberte, from Old French, from Latin lìbertâs, from lìber, free.]
- Source:
- The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition
by Houghton Mifflin Company underlined parts modified by dimitri