Illiberal, a.
Etymology: [L. illiberalis; pref. il- not + liberalis liberal: cf. F. illibéral.]
1. Not liberal; not free or generous; close; niggardly; mean; sordid. "A thrifty and illiberal hand." Mason.
2. Indicating a lack of breeding, culture, and the like; ignoble; rude; narrow-minded; disingenuous.
3. Not well authorized or elegant; as, illiberal words in Latin. [R.] Chesterfield.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists illiberal only as an antonym, under generous.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given