SuaviloquyToday’s word

largess

Largess, Largesse, n.

Etymology: [F. largesse, fr. large. See Large, a.]

1. Liberality; generosity; bounty. [Obs.] Fulfilled of largesse and of all grace. Chaucer.

2. A present; a gift; a bounty bestowed. The heralds finished their proclamation with their usual cry of "Largesse, largesse, gallant knights!" and gold and silver pieces were showered on them from the galleries. Sir W. Scott.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for largess; he lists it under gift.

Where he writes about it:

Largess is archaic for a bountiful gratuity, usually to be distributed among many, as among the heralds at ancient tournaments. — from gift

Synonyms

giftbenefactionbequestboonbountybribedonationgrantgratuitypresent

Antonyms

compensationearningsguerdonpenaltyremunerationwages

etymologyWebster’s online