THE FIRST WORD

magnanimous

PRONUNCIATION:

(mag-NAN-i-muhs) 

MEANING:

adjective: Generous or forgiving, especially towards a weak rival.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Latin magnanimus (great-souled), from magnus (great) + animus (soul, mind). Ultimately from the Indo-European root meg- (great), which also gave us magnificent, maharaja, master, mayor, maestro, magnate, magistrate, maximum, magnify, mahatma, magisterial, mickle, and hermetic. Earliest documented use: 1547.

USAGE:

"Breslin was magnanimous in victory, paying tribute to the efforts of Glenavon."
Gordon Hanna; Cliftonville in Cruise Control; Belfast Telegraph (Northern Ireland); Mar 19, 2013.