Sunday Word: Munificence

[sallymn]

munificence [myoo-nif-uh-suhns]

noun:
the quality of being exceedingly generous; liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

Examples:

Spending money freely demonstrated generosity to one's friends and supporters. This munificence was an expression of the dignity of the noble estate, emphasizing the gulf in values between those who fought and those who worked, even if the latter happened to be wealthier than the former. (Richard Abels, Chivalry Is a Medieval Ethos That Has Evolved Over Time, The New York Times, July 2013)

A testament to Harwich's civic pride, the enthusiasm of the local volunteers and munificence of the supporting businesses. (James Dwan, Antiques expert Tim Wonnacott to cut ribbon at new museum in Harwich, Harwich and Manningtree Standard, August 2021)

This is what happens when the main architects of the campaign are people whose encounter with the masses are patrimonial and clientelist, forever looking at them either as servers or as recipients of their munificence and mercy. (Antonio Contreras, Clueless and naive elitism, The Manila Times, April 2022)

Have no scruple in accepting my offer; our property is derived from the Emperor; we do not own a penny that is not the result of his munificence. Is it not gratitude to him to assist his faithful soldiers? (Honore de Balzac, Vendetta)

Upon the arrival of the superintendent, a murmur of joy and affection was heard; Fouquet, full of affability, good humor, and munificence, was beloved by his poets, his artists, and his men of business. (Alexandre Dumas, Ten Years Later)

Origin:

'quality of giving or bestowing liberally or lavishly,' early 15c, from Old French munificence, from Latin munificentia 'bountifulness, liberality, generosity,' from stem of munificus 'generous, bountiful, liberal,' literally 'present-making,' from munus 'gift or service; function, task, duty, office' + unstressed stem of facere 'to do' (from PIE root dhe- 'to set, put'). (Online Etymology Dictionary)

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. (Merrian-Webster)