Forms: 4–7 larg, 6 largue, Sc. lairg, lairge, lerge, 6–7 lardg(e, 2– large. [a. F. large, now chiefly in the sense ‘broad, wide’:—L. larga, fem. of largus abundant, copious, bountiful, profuse. The masc. largus gave OF. larc, larg (whence ME. larg, largue), but these forms were ultimately supplanted by the fem. form large; though in nautical senses mod.F. has largue masc. and fem., adopted from southern dialects. Cf. Pr. larg, largue, broad, Sp., Pg. largo long, It. largo wide.]
A. adj.
† I. 1. Liberal in giving; generous; bountiful, munificent; open-handed. Also, liberal in expenditure, prodigal, lavish. (Cf. FOOL-LARGE.) Const. of, in. Obs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 143. Þe large Men and þe milde Men … sculen beon icleoped on þe fader riht halue.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 430. Se uorð ase ȝe muwen of drunch and of mete and of cloð,… beoð large touward ham [servants], þauh ȝe þe neruwure beon and te herdure to ou suluen.
13[?]. Guy Warw. (A.), 1265. He was large, curteys, and fre.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XI. 148. The landis of Scotland delt he then Of othir mennis landis large wes he.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pars. T., ¶ 391. To be liberal, that is to seyn, large by mesure.
a. 1420. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1393. She [Fortune] lovethe yonge folk and large of despence.
c. 1450. Merlin, 150. Yef euer ye haue be large of yeftes here before, loke now that ye, be larger hensforth.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VII. vii. Syre knyghte thou art ful large of my hors and my harneys, I lete the wete it coste the noughte.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 1765. Beith larg and iffis frely of thi thing.
1530. Palsgr., 317/1. Large in expence, prodigne.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices, II. (1558), 99. That other kinde of largegiuing whiche proceedes of liberalitie.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., I. i. 11. The poore King Reignier, whose large style Agrees not with the leannesse of his purse.
1664. J. Wilson, Cheats, V. iii. Dram. Wks. (1874), 93. Indeed I won’t! You have been large to me already. [Jolly would press money upon him.]
1688. Dryden, Britannia Rediv., 86. Large of his treasures.
absol. 13[?]. K. Alis., 2054. Theo large geveth; the nythyng lourith.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Æsop, V. xii. (1889), 170. And therefore more despendeth the nygard than the large.
II. Ample, wide, great.
† 2. Ample in quantity; copious, abundant. Obs.; merged in sense 8.
The early instances referring to gifts or alms may belong to sense 1.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 168. Noble men & wummen makieð large relef.
a. 1240. Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 187. Hwet deþ þenne þi blod isched on þe rode, hwet deþ þenne þe large broc of þi softe side.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3964. Iacob þan sent him of his aght Giftes large.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 602. Large lyons lockis þat lange ere and scharpe.
c. 1425. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 2067. That to dyscerne I purpose nat to deele So large by my wyll hit longeth nat to me.
1552. Huloet, Large, aboundaunt or plentyfull, affluens.
1578. Timme, Calvin on Gen., 161. This … offereth unto us, large matter of bewailing our misery.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), Mark xii. 40. These shall receive larger judgement [Vulg. prolixius judicium; 1611 greater damnation].
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 31. The kings of France and England gaue large money towards the maintenance of the army.
1635. R. N., Camden’s Hist. Eliz., I. an. 9. 67. She gave them large thanks.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 558. And we have yet large day, for scarce the Sun Hath finisht half his journey.
† 3. Ample in spatial extent; allowing plenty of room; spacious, roomy, capacious. Obs.; merged in sense 8.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 18. Makieð on ower muþe mit te þume a creoiz, & et ‘Deus in adjutorium,’ a large creoiz mit þe þreo vingres vrom abuue þe vorheaued dun to þe breoste.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), I. 144. Large er þo landes, þat his eldres wonnen.
1382. Wyclif, Heb. ix. 11. Forsoth Crist beynge a bischop of goodis to comynge [entride] bi a larger and perfiter tabernacle [L. amplius et perfectius].
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 27. He seeth her front is large and pleine Withoute frounce of any greine.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 10389. Olofte for to lenge in his large sete.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 2 b. The byrde in a cage, be the cage … neuer so large and hye, can not be contented or quyete.
1530. Palsgr., 237/2. Large grounde, covrtil. Ibid., 317/1. Large wyde and brode, spacieux, ample.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, V. xvii. 373. They retired themselves into a large place, where there were many lights.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 531. Two Golden Horns on his large Front he wears.
† b. Const. of.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 22322 (Fairf.). A mikil man of stature heye & large of face.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), v. 43. So is the Contree large of Lengthe.
1535. Coverdale, Neh. vii. 4. As for ye cite, it was large of rowme, and greate.
c. fig. Of the ‘heart’: Capacious. Cf. 6.
In the earliest instances the expression is a literal translation from the Heb., where ‘heart’ means intellect.
1535. Coverdale, 1 Kings iv. 29. God gaue Salomon maruelous greate wyszdome and vnderstondinge, and a large hert.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 444. That uxorius King, whose heart though large, Beguil’d by fair Idolatresses, fell To Idols foul.
1686. Waller, H.R.H. Mother to Pr. Orange, Poems 244. Tho streighter Bounds your Fortune did confine, In your large Heart was found a wealthy Mine.
1876. Blackie, Songs Relig. & Life, 228. The brain by knowledge grows, the heart Is larger made by loving.
† 4. Extensive in transverse dimension; = BROAD a. 1, 1 b. [The usual sense in mod. Fr.] Often in phrase long and large, for which wide and large sometimes occurs. Obs.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 45. Bothe as longe and as large bi loft and by grounde.
c. 1400. Maundev. (Roxb.), v. 16. It es nere hand a c. cubites large.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, lxxii. 49. Ane croce that was baith large and lang, To beir thai gaif that blessit Lord.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, I. viii. 15. The great Clote hath leaves very large and long.
1599. Abp. Abbot, Descr. World (1634), 281. The Spaniards … entered Florida … and there conquered a thousand miles wide and large.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., xxxviii. 152. Three hundred ladders made, very strong, and so large, that three men might easily mount up on them a front.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 195. His other Parts … extended long and large Lay floating many a rood. Ibid., IV. 223. Southward through Eden went a River large.
1709. Blair, in Phil. Trans., XXVII. 141. Two Tusks 21/2 Spans large, and 8 foot long.
1715. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), I. 78. The Ways ought to be … so large, that Carriages and Horses be no hindrance to each other when they meet.
† 5. With definite measures of space and time, indicating the full or rather more than the full quantity: = GOOD A. 20. Obs.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. X. 162. Leue him on thi left halue a large myle or more.
1529. Malory’s Arthur, X. lxiv. They fought … two large houres and neuer brethed them.
1678. Lond. Gaz., No. 1315/1. At Bucken, a large League from Friburg. Ibid. (1707), 4336/7. As to the Breadth of the Chanel, it is a large half Mile.
1737. trans. Le Comte’s Mem. & Rem. China, iii. 79. The steps … being almost all 10 large inches high.
† b. Of the time of day: Fully come, full. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 352. They slepen til that it was pryme large.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, IV. 223. Thir men went furth as it was large mydnycht.
6. Of immaterial things: Wide in range or capacity; comprehensive, extensive, capacious.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 93. Mater fynd ȝe large and brade?
a. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3915. Bot alle þis dett may þar be qwytt Thurgh large pardon, wha-swa has itt.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 8. A feiþful curat owiþ to notify to his sugets, were is pardoun, sikirar, largar, & for les price, to be bout to his sogets.
1500. Galway Arch., in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 391. In as ampull and lardg manner as we grauntid to anny other ffreman.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 15 b. Exhortyng them with large promisses and flatteryng wordes.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 239 b. I wyll sende Ambassadours to the assemblye with large commission.
1595. Shaks., John, I. i. 88. Doe you not read some tokens of my sonne In the large composition of this man? Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 223. Fair leaue and large security.
1667. Milton, P. L., XII. 305. From imposition of strict Laws, to free Acceptance of large Grace.
1704. Swift, Mechan. Operat. Spir., Misc. (1711), 296. A large Memory, plentifully fraught with Theological Polysyllables.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 179. It was resolved, that whatever should be granted … should go in so large a manner, that Papists should be comprehended within it.
1730–46. Thomson, Autumn, 280. Vernal suns and showers Diffuse their warmest, largest influence.
1738. Wesley, Ps. CXVI. v. How good Thou art, How large thy Grace!
1778. Sir J. Reynolds, Disc., viii. (1876), 450. Notions large, liberal and complete.
1779–81. Johnson, L. P., Smith. His memory was large and tenacious.
1784. Cowper, Task, III. 423. No portion left That may disgrace his art, or disappoint Large expectation.
1793. Burke, Policy Allies, Wks. VII. 176. I speak of policy too in a large light; in which large light, policy too is a sacred thing.
1842. Tennyson, Locksley Hall, 111. Yearning for the large excitement that the coming years would yield.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. I. 106. A good reason for giving large powers to a trustworthy magistrate. Ibid. (a. 1859), xxiii. (1861), V. 91. The English Government … had been willing to make large allowance for Berwick’s peculiar position.
1885. Sir N. Lindley, in Law Times Rep., LII. 319/2. I think the language is large enough to include them.
1886. Law Times, LXXXI. 172/1. The court had a large discretion as to the joinder of parties.
b. Of persons, with reference to some specified attribute or action. Const. in, of. Cf. sense 1.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, Theodera, 220. Þu art larg of cheryte.
1574. Hellowes, Gueuara’s Fam. Ep. (1577), 63. It is not a iust thing to be large in sinning, and short in praying.
1612. T. Taylor, Comm. Titus iii. 1. When Paul would be large in commending the Church of the Romanes, he affirmeth they were full of goodnesse.
1672. Wilkins, Nat. Relig., 326. To be generous and large in their well-wishing and their well-doing.
1883. F. M. Peard, Contrad., xxvi. He was large in his offers of friendship towards a young nephew of Mr. Pritchard’s.
c. With reference to artistic treatment: Broad.
1782. Sir J. Reynolds, Disc., xi. (1876), 28. In his colouring he was large and general.
7. Of discourse, narrative, or literary treatment: Ample, copious, lengthy. Now rare.
1477. Marg. Paston, in P. Lett., No. 799, III. 193. The large comunycacyon that dyvers tymes hathe ben had towchyng the maryage of my cosyn Margery … and my son Iohn.
1526. Tindale, Acts xx. 2. When he had gone over those parties, and geven them large exhortacions.
1577. Frampton, Joyful News, II. (1596), 80. Of many others which shoulde bee verie large to speake of.
1622. R. Hawkins, Voy. S. Sea, 131. It were large to recount the voyages and worthy enterprises overthrowne by this pollicie.
1655. Stanley, Hist. Philos., II. (1701), 65/1. Plutarch, hath this large Discourse upon it.
1675. Temple, Lett. to Chas. II., Wks. 1731, II. 344. Since the Prince’s Return, I have had two large Discourses with his Highness.
1685. Wood, Life, 13 April. Mr. Wyatt spake a large speech by hart.
1705. Hearne, Collect., 23 July (O.H.S.), I. 13. Mr. Milles writ a large reply.
1756–82. J. Warton, Ess. Pope (ed. 4), I. ii. 49. These observations on Thomson … would not have been so large if there had been already any considerable criticism on his Character.
1860. Motley, Netherl. (1868), I. v. 273. He fell into large and particular discourse with the deputies.
† b. Of persons: Copious in writing or speech; diffuse, lengthy, prolix. Obs.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xviii. § 8 (1873), 181. Antitheta are theses argued pro et contra; wherein men may be more large and laborious.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 108. My intent is to bee largest in relation of those things which are not in the Scriptures.
1618. Bolton, Florus (1636), Ded. He held it more honorable to be … the first among briefe writers than one among few in the large ones.
1668. Temple, Lett. to Ld. Arlington, Wks. 1731, II. 82. The Marquis is large in arguing to me, that our Interest lies in a joint War.
1679. Penn, Addr. Prot., II. App. (1692), 240. I could be very large upon this point.
1711. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), III. 136. I am afraid he will be much too large, tho’ ’tis certain wt he shall do will be very curious and learned.
1737. Whiston, Josephus, Antiq., XII. vi. § 3. He was very large in his encomiums upon the young man.
1763. J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., vi. 111. Homer is equal, large, flowing and harmonious; Eschylus is uneven, concise, abrupt and rugged.
1788. Priestley, Lect. Hist., IV. xxiii. 179. His work is an epitome of the Roman History to his own times, upon which he is more large.
8. In mod. Eng., a general designation for considerable magnitude, used instead of great when it is not intended to convey the emotional implication now belonging to that word. (See GREAT a. 6.) The more colloquial or less refined synonym is big.
a. Of material objects. Also in phrases like large of limb = ‘having large limbs.’
Not ordinarily said of persons; the occasional use of expressions like ‘a large man’ is somewhat playful, the notion being ‘taking up a great deal of room.’ To say ‘the larger (= ‘bigger’) children’ is admissible, if perh. somewhat unusual, but the positive (and, indeed, the comparative in the singular) could not be similarly used.
In the earlier examples there may be some notion of the sense ‘ample.’
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 288/1. Large, hey, longe, and semely, procerus.
1526. Tindale, Gal. vi. 11. Beholde how large a letter I have written vnto you with myne awne honde.
c. 1560. A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), ii. 135. Thow art moir lerge of lyth and lym Nor I am, be sic thre.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., IV. i. 4. While I … kisse thy faire large eares.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 46. In this toune is the Kingis castel baith lairge and stark.
1611. Bible, Mark xiv. 15. He will shew you a large [Gr. μέγα: earlier versions ‘great’] vpper roome furnished.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 529. Now Dragon grown, larger than whom the Sun Ingenderd in the Pythian Vale on slime.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 805. A large Cluster of black Grapes. Ibid., Æneid, X. 432. Great Theron, large of Limb, of Gyant height.
1751. Affect. Narr. Wager, 89. One of us killed a large Seal … Such Hits as these were but rare, and very far from affording Supplies.
1791. W. Bartram, Carolina, 10. These swamps are daily clearing and improving into large fruitful rice plantations.
1803. Repton, Landscape Gard. (1805), 21. We generally pronounce that object large, the whole of which the eye can not at once comprehend.
1816. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, I. 14. The large vice must be firmly fixed to the side of the work-bench.
1837. Dickens, Pickw., ii. A large lady in blue satin.
1837. Mrs. Sherwood, H. Milner, III. xvi. 323. An infant, and three or four larger children.
1840. Marryat, Poor Jack, i. He was a very large man, standing six feet high.
1868. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., iii. § 16 (1879), 91. At rising or setting, the Moon sometimes appears to be larger than it does when high up in the sky.
1870. Dickens, E. Drood, vi. ‘Is he a large man, Ma?’ ‘I should call him a large man, my dear … but that his voice is so much larger.’
1895. Bookman, Oct., 26/2. Plans … should not be large folded sheets, but single page plans of small districts … with a key-map.
1896. Law Times Rep., LXXIII. 615/1. There were two gates, one large one for carriages and the other a small one for foot passengers.
absol. 1595. Shaks., John, II. i. 101. This little abstract doth containe that large, Which died in Geffrey.
b. Used in the specific names of objects to distinguish a kind or variety of greater size than the ordinary; also large-paper, a size of paper used for a special or limited edition of a book, having wider margins than that of the ordinary edition; also attrib.
1714. Lond. Gaz., No. 5225/3. The Price of the few large Paper that are printed [will be] 40s. per Book in Sheets.
1727. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Minion, The large Minion, or one of the largest size, has its bore 31/4 inch diameter, and is 1000 pounds weight.
1802. Dibdin, Introd. Classics, 11, note. The large paper edition of this work is chiefly sought after.
1837. Macgillivray, Withering’s Brit. Plants (ed. 4), 334. Large White Helleborine.
1859. Stainton, Brit. Butterflies & Moths, II. 34. Geometra papilionaria (Large Emerald).
1862. E. Newman, Brit. Moths (1869), 299. The Large Nutmeg (Mamestra anceps).
1878. Print. Trades Jrnl., XXV. 20. Large post folio size.
1883. Wallem, Fish Supply Norway, 16 (Fish. Exhib. Publ.). ‘Large’ or North-herring.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 192. Fatty changes in the kidneys … Large white, and small white kidneys.
Mod. The second edition of the book is a large octavo.
c. Of collective unities, quantities, dimensions, or any immaterial entity of which extensive as distinct from intensive magnitude can be predicated.
1526. Tindale, Rev. xxi. 16. The length was as large as the bredth of hitt.
1679. Penn, Addr. Prot., II. v. (1692), 135. [It] is … in a large Degree true among us.
1751. Labelye, Westm. Br., 72. At the Commissioners Desire, and before a very large Board, I had the Honour of explaining … my Method.
1823. De Quincey, Lett. Educ., ii. Wks. (1860), XIV. 26. Forty years are not too large a period for such a work.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iii. I. 325. It is certainly now more than seven times as great as the larger of these two sums. Ibid., vii. II. 216. That party was not large; but the … virtues of those who belonged to it made it respectable.
1881. Jowett, Thucyd., I. 224. The simplicity which is so large an element in a noble nature was laughed to scorn and disappeared.
1895. R. L. Douglas, in Bookman, Oct., 22/2. Louis [XIV.] was in a large measure responsible for the horrors of the Revolution.
Mod. He made large profits on some articles, but his business did not pay on the whole.
d. Of a movement, pace, etc.: Covering a good extent of ground at a step. (Cf. B. 6.)
c. 1400. trans. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh., 117. He, þat yn goynge, hauys his paas large and latly, welfare shall folwe him yn all his werkys.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, I. xx. (1840), 358. As fast as we could make our horses go, which … was only a good large trot.
17[?]. in ‘J. Larwood’ (L. R. Sadler), Bk. Cleric. Anecd. (1871), 229. [Contemporary journalist describes Orator Henley as entering like a harlequin by a door behind the pulpit, and] at one large leap jumping into it, and falling to work.
† e. rarely of actions or processes, with reference to degree.
1660–1. Marvell, Corr., xviii. Wks. 1872–5, II. 50. As I shall haue more busynesse or more news, I shall give you a larger trouble.
1748. Anson’s Voy., II. xiii. 276. They … found every where so large a surf, that there was not the least possibility of their landing.
f. Of a meal: Heavy, abundant (cf. 2). ? rare.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. ii. 313. Having … made a large beef breakfast.
1890. Kipling, Light that Failed, vi. After a large lunch they went down to the beach.
g. Of sounds heard in auscultation: Full, sonorous. Also of the pulse: Full.
1822–34. Good’s Study Med. (ed. 4), I. 544, note. If a pulse be both hard and large, it is a strong pulse also.
1898. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., V. 10. To the first [class] belong the large or sonorous, the small or sibilant, and the intermediate or subsibilant rhonchi. Ibid., 142. The large, coarse, toneless rattles produced by mucus and air in the trachea and larger bronchi.
h. With an agent-noun or its equivalent: That is engaged in the occupation or business implied on a large scale.
1883. Manch. Exam., 29 Oct., 5/4. The largest calico printer in the world.
1891. J. G. Paton, Autobiog., 4. At that time, about 1830, Torthorwald was a busy and thriving village … with its … large farmers and small farmers.
1892. Law Times, XCII. 177/2. A very large oyster planter.
9. Of speech or manner: Pompous, imposing, assuming airs of grandeur, ‘big.’
1605. Shaks., Lear, I. i. 187. Your large speeches, may your deeds approue.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), III. 153. The prerogative was always named in large and pompous expressions.
1894. Hall Caine, Manxman, III. xx. 192. Cæsar made a prolonged A-hm! and said in a large way, ‘Has the carriage arrived?’
III. Not rigorous or restricted: lax, free. [Developed from sense 3.]
† 10. Indulgent, lax; not strict or rigorous. Obs.
c. 1440. Jacob’s Well, xvi. 108. Takyng non hede of þi wycked suspectys … ne of þi consentyng to euyll, ne of þi large conscyence.
1594. Mirr. Policy (1599), N ij. Kings ought … to be carefull, that they put not couetous men & such as haue a large conscience in publick offices & authority.
1604. Parsons, 3rd Pt. Three Convers. Eng., 374. The King, vpon his first breach with the Pope, was somewhat carelesse & large towards the protestants.
1609. Bible (Douay), 1 Sam. xxiv. Comm., A large conscience sticketh at nothing.
1694. Strype, Mem. Cranmer, III. xxxvi. 456. When King Henry was large towards the Protestants, Cranmer was so also.
1733. Neal, Hist. Purit., II. 245. If the Puritans were too strict in keeping Holy the Sabbath, his Grace [Laud] was too large in his indulgence.
† 11. Having few or no restrictions or limitations; allowing considerable freedom. Also said of persons with respect to their thought or action.
c. 1510. Lytell Geste Robyn Hode (W. de W.), VII. 108. Smyte on boldely sayd Robyn I gyue the large leue.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. IV., 10. It was concluded, that kyng Richard should continew in a large prisone.
1635. R. N., Camden’s Hist. Eliz., III. an. 27. 267. Shee besought that she might be kept in larger custody.
1671. Milton, P. R., I. 365. Leaving my dolorous Prison I enjoy Large liberty to round this Globe of Earth.
1680. Connect. Col. Rec. (1859), III. 299. Our people in this Colony are, some strict Congregationall men, others more large Congregationall men, and some moderate Presbeterians.
1793. in Morse, Amer. Geog. (1796), I. 274. General Baptists … who hold Large Communion.
† b. Liberated, free. Const. of. Obs. rare.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, I. lxxxiv. 18. Of burdens all he set the Paynims large.
† c. Of ‘circumstances’: Easy. Obs.
1738. Neal, Hist. Purit., IV. 404. Many families who the last week were in large circumstances, were now reduced to beggary.
† 12. Of language: Used in a wide sense, loose, inaccurate. Obs. rare.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 305. Cauterium is seid in ij. maners, þat is to seie large & streit [L. cauterium dicitur duobus modis, large & stricte].
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. xix. 116. In thilk maner of vnpropre and large speche, in which it may thouȝ vnpropirli be seid that [etc.].
† 13. Of speech, etc.: Free, unrestrained; (in bad sense) lax, licentious, improper, gross. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 804. Som men seyn he [Diomede] was of tunge large.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 73. Þei seien þat Baptist was to harde, and Cristis lyfe was to large, but þei have founden a good mene.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4144. On me he leyeth a pitous charge, Bicause his tunge was to large.
c. 1401. Lydg., Flour Curtesye, 157. Dredful also of tonges that ben large.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices, I. (1558), 46. The very maner of our iesting muste not be to large nor unsober.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. iii. 206. The man doth fear God, howsoeuer it seemes not in him, by some large ieasts hee will make. Ibid., IV. i. 53. I neuer tempted her with word too large.
14. Naut. Said of a wind that crosses the line of the ship’s course in a favorable direction, esp. on the beam or quarter. (Cf. F. vent largue; also FREE a. 13 b.)
1591. in Hakluyt’s Voy. (1600), III. 491. When the wind came larger we waied anchor and set saile.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., ix. 44. When a ship sailes with a large wind towards the land.
1669. Narborough, in Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1694), 8. As we got Southerly and the Wind grew large, we might alter our Course when we would.
1748. Anson’s Voy., II. vii. 215. As we had the wind large, we kept in a good depth of water.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), K k 3 b. The ships … have the wind six points large, or more properly on the quarter; which is considered as the most favourable manner of sailing, because all the sails co-operate to increase the ship’s velocity.
1851. in Kipping, Sailmaking (ed. 2), 185.
IV. 15. Comb. a. Parasynthetic combinations, unlimited in number, as large-acred, -bayed, -bodied, -boned, -brained, -browed, -celled, -finned, -flewed, -framed, -fronded, -grained, -headed, -ideaed, -leaved, -limbed, -looked, -lugged, -mo(u)lded, -natured, -quartered, -sized, -souled, -spaced, -thoughted, -utteranced, -viewed, -wheeled adjs.; also large-bore, -calibre, -scale, -type adjs. b. Combinations with pa. pples., in which large is used as a complement, as large-drawn, -grown, -made adjs. c. Special comb.: large-eyed a., having a large eye or large eyes; characterized by wide open eyes; large-greaved a., the specific epithet of the S. American tortoise Podocnemis expansa, having the legs protected by large greave-like plates; large-lunged a. Path., characterized by enlargement of the lungs; large-minded a., having a liberal or generous mind; marked by breadth of ideas; taking a large view of things; hence large-mindedness (in recent Dicts.); large-mouth, a variety of the black bass, Micropterus salmoides; † large-parted a., of great parts or talents. Also LARGE-HANDED, LARGE-HEARTED.
1737. Pope, Hor. Epist., II. ii. 240. Heathcote himself, and such *large-acred men.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., iii. 115. The *large-bay’d Barne.
1693. Dryden, Persius (1697), 500. Such as were to pass for Germans:… *Large Body’d Men.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3849/4. A roan Gelding,… large Body’d.
1854. H. Miller, Sch. & Schm. (1858), 320. A tall, large-bodied, small-headed man.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. 84. A giant of a man … *large-boned and scraggy.
1859. Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, i. A large-boned muscular man nearly six feet high.
1898. Daily News, 1 March, 5/4. The old *large bore pistols.
1874. Carpenter, Ment. Phys., I. ii. § 88 (1879), 98. *Large-brained persons, of strong Intellectual and Volitional powers.
1832. Tennyson, Pal. Art, xli. Plato the wise, and *large-brow’d Verulam.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 28 April, 7/2. Nine *large-calibre cannon.
1875. Bennett & Dyer, trans. Sachs’ Bot., 440. Smaller cells enclosing a *larger-celled tissue.
1844. Mrs. Browning, Lay of Brown Rosary, II. 112. The great willow, her lattice before, *Large-drawn in the moon, lieth calm on the floor.
1853. G. Johnston, Nat. Hist. E. Bord., I. 105. The *large-dugged sow.
1818. Shelley, Homer’s Hymn to Sun, 4. Euryphaessa, *large-eyed nymph.
1861. J. Brent, in Archæol. Cant., IV. 28. A large-eyed needle or bodkin.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., II. xxix. 234. A large-eyed gravity.
a. 1661. Holyday, Juvenal, 91. The fair trout and *larg-fin’d barbel.
1565. Golding, Ovid’s Met., III. (1593), 62. Tone of them cald jolliboy a great And *largeflewd hound.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 311. *Large-framed healthy wethers.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 570. The most exquisite dark-green, *large-fronded moss.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), I. 15. Corn which is *large grained and fine.
1816. W. Phillips, Min., 129. Of a large-grained and soft calcareous stone.
1858. Greener, Gunnery, 39. Large-grained gunpowder.
1880. Cassell’s Nat. Hist., IV. 255. These *Large Grieved Tortoises line the shallow water in great rows.
1603. Drayton, Barons Wars, VI. xxviii. 131. The tree … Whose *large growne body doth repulse the wind.
1828. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. III. 75. That stunted and *large-headed appearance which betokens a dwarf.
1883. P. Brooks, Serm., 279. *Large-idead, or small-idead, appreciative or unappreciative.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xxvii. The *large-leaved rhubarb and cabbage plants.
1612. Drayton, Poly-olb., V. 238. Where once the portly Oke, and *large-limb’d Popler stood.
1623. Milton, Ps. cxxxvi. 69. Large-lim’d Og he did subdue.
1647. Crashaw, Poems, 105. These curtained windows, this self-prison’d eye Out-stares the lids of *large-look’d tyranny.
1661. K. W., Conf. Charac., Informer (1860), 47. A … *large lugg’d eagle ey’d hircocervus.
1896. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., I. 315. Emphysema, in the tense or *large-lunged form.
1824. Miss Mitford, Village, Ser. I. 221. A *large-made though meagre woman.
1725. Young, Sat., iv. 11. *Large-minded men.
1833. J. H. Newman, Arians, III. i. (1876), 247. A generous and large-minded prince.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, V. 509. That *large-moulded man, His visage all agrin as at a wake.
1893. Outing (U.S.), XXII. 94/1. In the fresh pond above Nag’s Head … are found the *large-mouth black-bass [etc.]. Ibid. (1897), XXX. 219/2. Florida large-mouths weighing well up in the ‘teens.’
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Char., Wks. (Bohn), II. 57. They are *large-natured, and not so easily amused as the southerners.
a. 1659. Bp. Brownrig, Serm. (1674), II. xviii. 234. Quick and *large-parted men.
1689. Lond. Gaz., No. 2432/4. A *large Quartered brown Gelding.
1897. Westm. Gaz., 14 April, 1/3. The *large-scale maps of Essex and Norfolk.
a. 1678. Marvell, Poems, Appleton Ho. When *larger-sized men did stoop To enter at a narrow loop.
1765. A. Dickson, Treat. Agric., II. (ed. 2), 256. The largest-sized cattle should be placed next the plough.
1853. Sir H. Douglas, Milit. Bridges (ed. 3), 271. Two or three large-sized pickaxes.
1715. Tickell, Iliad, 10. The *Large-soul’d Greeks consent.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. 108. How much we owe still to that large-souled Augustine.
1866. Geo. Eliot, F. Holt, Introd. The *large-spaced, slow-moving life of homesteads and far-away cottages.
1871. E. F. Burr, Ad Fidem, viii. 139. *Large-thoughted policy.
1899. Westm. Gaz., 2 Feb., 2/3. The *large-type letters.
1870. Lowell, Among My Books, Ser. I. (1873), 153. His *large-utteranced genius.
1892. Fortn. Rev., LI. 741. A clear-headed and *large-viewed student of architecture.
1860. W. G. Clark, in Vac. Tour, 49. A *large-wheeled single-horse vehicle.
B. adv.
† 1. Amply; fully, quite, by a great deal; abundantly. Chiefly north. and Sc. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 8812 (Cott.). It wanted large an eln on lenght. Ibid. (c. 1340), 7332 (Fairf.). Saul … was heyer þen any man large bi a meten span.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, V. 204. Xv fute large he lap out of that in.
1530. Palsgr., 317/2. Large open, patent.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1327/1. Garded with such a sufficient companie as might expresse the honor of iustice the larger in that behalfe.
1637–50. Row, Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.), 281. It is a question if papatus politicus be not large worse nor papatus ecclesiasticus.
1666. J. Livingstone, in Life (1845), I. 163. There was large more of that sort the year before.
1667. Milton, P. L., XI. 728. A Vessel of huge bulk … and in the side a dore Contriv’d, and of provisions laid in large For Man and Beast.
† 2. Liberally, generously. Obs.
1477. Marg. Paston, in P. Lett., No. 801, III. 197. That I dele not evenly with theym to geve Iohn Paston so large, and theym so lytyll.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 63. Mair bountiful and large thay lyue, than evin thair.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 317. Well we may afford Our givers thir own gifts, and large bestow From large bestowd.
† 3. Freely, unrestrainedly, boldly. Obs.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 1784. Ȝone kynge … karpes fulle large Be-cause he killyd this kene.
c. 1440. York Myst., xx. 118. But ȝitt, sone, schulde þou lette Here for to speke ouere large. [Cf. in large, C. 8 a.]
c. 1500. Notbrowne Maid, 167, in Hazl., E. P. P., II. 279. Theirs be the charge That speke so large In hurting of my name.
† 4. Of speech and writing: At length, fully. Obs.
1501. Plumpton Corr. (Camden), 154. As for all other causes, this bringer can shew to you by mouth, as larg as I can wryte.
1554. Latimer, in Foxe, A. & M. (1563), 982. I cannot speake Latin, so longe and so large.
1633. T. Stafford, Pac. Hib., I. xv. (1810), 172. As I need not larger to expresse it.
c. 1645. Milton, Sonn. On the new forcers of Conscience, 20. New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.
1676. I. Mather, K. Philip’s War (1862), 83. I thought to have written somewhat more large with respect to Reformation.
† 5. ? Far and wide. Obs.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 741. Þow loket not large, for lust þat þe blyndit.
† 6. With big steps; with ample gait. Obs.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., IV. iv. 254. Quick and large-striding minds loving to walk together.
1695. Lond. Gaz., No. 3065/4. A black Gelding, above 14 hands,… Trotts large.
7. Naut. a. With a ‘large’ wind; with the wind on the quarter or abaft the beam; ‘with the wind free when studding sails will draw’ (Smyth); off the wind: chiefly in to sail, go large. (Cf. FREE adv. c.)
[1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. i. 1. Thus wepand said, and leit his flot go large (L. classique immittit habenas).]
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., xii. 57. If you weather him,… he will laske, or goe large.
a. 1688. Dk. Buckhm., Cabin-Boy, Wks. 1705, II. 101. He could Sail a Yatcht both nigh and large.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. v. 342. The proas … lying much nearer the wind than any other vessel … have an advantage, which no vessels that go large can ever pretend to.
1789. Trans. Soc. Arts, VII. 210. It can only operate to steer a ship large (and that but very wildly).
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 159. Two points behind the beam (or large).
1794. Rigging & Seamanship, II. 265. The ship runs … large.
a. 1845. Hood, Pain in Pleasure-Boat, 16. Nothing, Ma’am, but a little slop! go large, Bill! keep her full!
b. By and large: see BY adv. 1 d. † Also fig. In one direction and another, all ways.
1669. [see BY].
1706. [E. Ward], Wooden World Dissected (1744), 26. Tho’ he tries every Way, both by little and large, to keep up with his Leader. Ibid., 106. Take this same plain blunt Sea-Animal, by and large,… and you’ll find him of more intrinsick Value.
c. ? Wide of a particular course, whether one’s own or another’s.
1670. Lond. Gaz., No. 519/2. The Sally man got large from him.
1726. Shelvocke, Voy. round World, 232. She kept away large, and at too great a distance to perceive any thing of us.
1816. ‘Quiz,’ Grand Master, I. 15. Why are you blind? d—n you, steer large, You’ll get aboard of that coal barge.
d. Naut. and Mil. To go or lead large: in a manœuvre, to break off at a particular point from the course marked out, and proceed straight ahead.
1749. Capt. Innes, in Naval Chron., III. 93. Did not the Strafford … obey the Signal for leading large.
1797. Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp. (1845), II. 341. Perceiving the Spanish Ships all to bear up before the Wind,… evidently with an intention of forming their Line going large, joining their separated Division,… or flying from us—to prevent either of their schemes from taking effect, I ordered the ship to be wore.
1833. Regul. Instr. Cavalry, I. plate 1, 3 Leading File circle. 4 Go large.
C. sb.
I. The simple word.
† 1. Liberality, bounty; ? also = LARGESS 2 c. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 27861. Frenes of hert and large of gift.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 43. It bicometh to a kynge to kepe and to defende, And conquerour of conquest his lawes and his large.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 451. To be Conservyd ffro dampnacion vnder the large off thy Charyte.
1537. in Strype, Eccl. Mem., II. i. 3. When the prince was christened … Garter … proclaimed his name in the form following ‘God … grant good life and long to the … Prince Edward … Large, Large.’
† 2. Extent, size. Obs.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 241. The land wes likand in large and lufsum to call.
† 3. ? Freedom. Obs. (Cf. 6, 9 below.)
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 182. So that welthe with measure shalbe conbyned, And lyberte his large with measure shall make.
4. Mus. The longest note recognized in the early notation, equivalent to two or three ‘longs,’ according to the rhythm employed; also, the character by which it was denoted, viz. [symbol] or [symbol].
a. 1547. Prov. in Antiq. Rep. (1809), IV. 406. He may not make his brevys to short, nor his largs to longe.
1594. Barnfield, Sheph. Cont., iii. My Prick-Song’s alwayes full of Largues and Longs.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., 9.
1603. J. Davies, Microcosm. (1878), 81. O let the longest Largs be shortest Briefes In this discordant Note.
1609. Douland, Ornith. Microl., 39. A Large is a figure, whose length is thrise as much as his breadth, hauing on the part toward your right hand a small tayle.
1706. A. Bedford, Temple Mus., xi. 227. In Process of Time, they added a longer Note,… which they called a Large.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Note.
1876. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms.
II. Phrases.
5. At large. a. At liberty, free, without restraint. † At more large: at greater liberty.
1399. Pol. Poems (Rolls), I. 396. He … lete him go at large to lepe where he wolde.
a. 1420. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 277. Hy tyme it is to … walke at large out of þi prisoun.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, V. lx. I wille slee the and euer I maye gete the at large.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxxxix. 533. Thare king determyned to departe, and go and lye in garysons, to be at more large.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., May, 40. Letting their sheepe runne at large.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 213. Left him at large to his own dark designs. Ibid., III. 430. Here walk’d the Fiend at large in spacious field.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 154, ¶ 2. I always kept Company with those who lived most at large.
1724. De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 196. The enemy … lived a little at large, too much for good soldiers, about Cirencester.
1727. Pope, etc., Art of Sinking, 76. Small beer, which is indeed vapid and insipid, if left at large and let abroad.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Briery Creek, iv. 93. Whether appropriated, or left at large because they cannot be appropriated.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. VII. i. The King is conquered; going at large on his parole.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 353. They felt also that Hannibal was still at large, and it might not be well to drive him to despair.
b. In an unsettled or unfixed state; not limited or confined one way or another. ? Obs.
1611. Speed, Theat. Gt. Brit., i. (1614), 1/2. Which as a matter merely conjecturall … I leave at large.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 183. Another point was fixed by the Act of Uniformity, which was more at large formerly.
1782. Cowper, Friendship, 136. On points which God has left at large, How fiercely will they meet and charge!
1833. I. Taylor, Fanat., vi. 169. The tremendous doctrine of eternal perdition … will remain at large … to be drawn on this side or that as may best subserve the purposes of intimidation.
c. Of speech or writing: At length, in full, fully.
1472–3. Rot. Parl. 12 & 13 Edw. IV., § 36. As in the said your Letters Patentes therof is conteyned more at large.
1587. Mascall, Govt. Cattle (1627), 158. There he shall finde written all things more at lardge.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 8. I … will explicat mair at lairge quhilkes to Scotland ar proper.
1628. Earle, Microcosm., Yng. Raw Preacher (Arb.), 22. His prayer is conceited, and no man remembers his Colledge more at large.
1660. Trial Regic., 23. If you plead Not guilty; you shall be heard at large.
1668. Dryden, Evening’s Love, II. i. Wks. 1883, III. 287. I’ll wait on you some other time, to discourse more at large of astrology.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe, II. xi. (1840), 237. I … told him the story at large.
1845. Stephen, Comm. Laws Eng. (1874), II. 295. As was explained at large in a former chapter.
1890. Spectator, 1 Nov., 599/2. The Oxford speech, which Mr. Froude quotes at large.
† d. In full size: said, e.g., in contrast with the smaller scale of a model or abridgement. (Cf. 8 b.)
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., V. iv. 175. A land it selfe at large, a potent Dukedome. Ibid. (1606), Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 346. There is seene The baby figure of the Gyant-masse Of things to come at large.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 128. The design for the Lighthouse … was subject to some change in entering on the detail of the work at large.
1799. Han. More, Fem. Educ. (ed. 4), I. 181. Abridgments … are put … into the hands of youth, who have, or ought to have, leisure for the works at large.
e. As a whole, as a body; in general; (taken) altogether.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., I. i. 156. So to the Lawes at large I write my name.
1645. Fuller, Good Th. in Bad T. (1841), 14. Not only of the commission at large but so of the quorum.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., xx. I now therefore was left once more upon the world at large.
1790. Burke, Fr. Rev., Wks. V. 179. All punishments are for example towards the conservation of the people at large.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, viii. 102. He would be serving me and society at large.
1862. H. Spencer, First Princ., II. i. § 36 (1875), 130. Moral Philosophy and Political Philosophy, agree with Philosophy at large in the comprehensiveness of their reasonings and conclusions.
1868. Pref. to Digby’s Voy. Medit., 36. The credit which they obtained him with the people at large.
1874. Green, Short Hist., vii. § 7. 415. In his own day he was the poet of England at large.
f. In a general way; in a general sense; without particularizing. Now rare.
1625. Bacon, Ess., Stud. (Arb.), 9. And Studies themselues doe giue forth Directions too much at Large, except they be bounded in by experience.
1640. Fuller, Joseph’s Coat, vi. (1867), 165. And be not only their acquaintance at large, but in ordinary.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 191. Not to know at large of things remote From use,… but to know That which before us lies in daily life.
1670. R. Montagu, in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.), I. 485. Promises made at large.
1718. Atterbury, Serm. (1734), I. 181. Whether these were of the Number of the Eleven, or only Disciples at large.
1896. Law Q. Rev., July, 199. The Official Receiver must find fraud, not at large, but against the particular examinee.
† g. To the open; away, off. Obs.
1546. J. Heywood, Prov. (1867), 35. If this nightes lodgeyng and bordyng Maie ease the,… Then welcome, or els get the streight at large.
h. In the open sea. rare.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 3. Who had rather venture at large their decayed bottome then bring her in to be new trim’d in the dock.
† i. Over a large surface or area; abroad. Obs.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Oct., 44. There may thy Muse display her fluttryng wing, And stretch her selfe at large from East to West.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 300. The first thing hee doth is to stretch out his handes at large.
1675. Lond. Gaz., No. 1029/3. We hear that he has quartered his Cavalry at large, for their better refreshment in several neighbouring Villages.
1715. Leoni, Palladio’s Archit. (1742), I. 101. Seeing that the … legions were so close and crouded, he commanded them to set themselves more at large … so they might have room to handle their Weapons.
1722. De Foe, Plague (1756), 229. They would by their living so much at large, be much better prepared … than if the same Number of People lived close together.
j. Naut. = ‘going large’ (see B. 7 a).
1757. Capt. Randall, in Naval Chron., XIV. 98. We … tried them before the Wind—then at large.
k. Law. (See quot.)
1767. Blackstone, Comm., II. iii. 34. Common in gross or at large, is such as is neither appendant nor appurtenant to land, but is annexed to a man’s person; being granted to him and to his heirs by deed; or [etc.].
l. U.S. Said of electors or elected who represent the whole of a State and not merely a district of it.
1741. B. Lynde, Diary (1880), 161. I was again chose a Counsellor in ye 1st 18, and my Coz. Wm. Browne chose a Counsellor at Large.
1864. Webster, s.v., Electors at large, electors chosen to represent the whole of a State, in distinction from those chosen to represent one of the districts in a State.
1883. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. xiii. 166. The additional member or members are elected by the voters of the whole State on a general ticket, and are called ‘representatives at large.’
m. Without definite aim or specific application.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., II. xi. 59. The pleadings are at large … and do not tend to definite issues.
1891. Edin. Rev., July, 150. [Tales R. Kipling] He knows that a single stroke well aimed returns a better result than a score which are delivered at large.
† 6. At one’s large: at liberty. Obs.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, II. 237. While eche of hem is at his large, Lyght thinge vpwarde and downwarde charge.
a. 1420. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 1455. It sore me agaste To bynde me, where I was at my large.
c. 1450. St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1176. Þan myght we leue all at oure large.
1479. Plumpton Corr. (Camden), 34. I will that ye suffer him to be at his larg without longer enpresonment.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 114. Thei … may … at ther large and libartie … goo and come.
† 7. At the large: at the utmost. Obs.
a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 447. Seuene dayes to Sandewyche, I sette at the large, Sexty myle on a daye.
8. In large. † a. In a free, unrestrained or bold manner. Obs.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst. xviii. 9. Neuer the les, son, yit shuld thou lett her for to speke in large. [Cf. York Myst. xx. 118. Here for to speke ouere large.]
b. On a large scale: opposed to in little. (Also in the large.)
1614. Sylvester, Little Bartas, 12. To do, in Little, what in Large was done.
1662. J. Bargrave, Pope Alex. VII. (1867), 138. The copies of which [picture] in large I gave, one to his Matie Charles the Second…; another I gave to my patron.
1712. J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 36. The … Plates represent, in large, the same Designs … as those described in little.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 219, note. I have made trial of this method, both in small and in large.
1840. Arnold, Lett., in Life & Corr. (1844), II. ix. 200. Viewed in the large, as they are seen in India.
1855. Browning, Old Pict. Florence, xxi. Where the strong and the weak, this world’s congeries, Repeat in large what they practised in small.
† 9. To the (or one’s) large: to or into a state of freedom. Obs.
13[?]. Evang. Nicoa., 1032, in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr., LIII. 410. How þat he wan o way ffro presoune vn to þe large.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 10996. Philmen the fre kyng … He lete to þe large.
c. 1500. Melusine, xxxvi. 255. He was out of the lane & came to his large.
† 10. With the largest: in the most liberal fashion. Obs.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. cxviii. [cxiv.] 339. They … payed euery thynge with the largeste [Fr. bien & largement], so that euery man was contente.
