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   liberty

   /ˈlɪbəti/

   noun

   • 1. the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behaviour, or political views: "compulsory retirement would interfere with individual liberty" Similar independencefreedomautonomysovereigntyself governmentself ruleself determinationhome rulecivil libertiescivil rightshuman rightsrare:autarkyOpposite dependencesubjugation
   • ▪ the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved: "people who attacked phone boxes would lose their liberty"
   • ▪ a right or privilege, especially a statutory one: "the Bill of Rights was intended to secure basic civil liberties" Similar rightbirthrightopportunityfacilityprerogativeentitlementprivilegepermissionsanctionleaveconsentauthorizationauthoritylicenceclearanceblessingdispensationexemptionfacultycarte blancheOpposite constraint
   • ▪ the personification of liberty as a female figure: "the Statue of Liberty"
   • 2. the power or scope to act as one pleases: "individuals should enjoy the liberty to pursue their own preferences" Similar freedomindependencefree reinfreenesslicenceself-determinationfree willlatitudeoptionchoicevolitionnon-compulsionnon-coercionnon-confinementleewaymarginscopeelbow roomOpposite constraint
   • ▪ a person's freedom from control by fate or necessity.
   • ▪ shore leave granted to a sailor.
   • 3. a presumptuous remark or action: informal "how did he know what she was thinking?—it was a liberty!"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French liberte, from Latin libertas, from liber ‘free’.

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • L

     1

   • I

     1

   • B

     3

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • T

     1

   • Y

     4

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