a. (Stress variable.) Having a large heart (see LARGE a. 3 c); magnanimous, generous; having wide sympathies.
1645. Waller, C’tess Carlisle in Mourning, 32. Such as made Sheba’s curious Queen resort To the large-hearted Hebrews famous Court.
1842. Manning, Serm., ii. (1848), I. 22. We see some men large-hearted and generous, denying themselves, almost above measure.
1865. Pusey, Truth Eng. Ch., 17. It is strange to contrast his niggard concessions with the large-hearted statements of Roman Catholics of other days.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, I. Pref. 27. Large-hearted and open-handed too he was, when a real case was brought before him.
Hence Large-heartedness, magnanimity, generosity.
1640. Bp. Reynolds, Passions, xvii. (1647), 452. In regard of Reasonable and Spiritual Desires, The effects of this affection are: Large-heartedness and Liberality.
1851. D. Jerrold, St. Giles, xxiii. 241. The cobbler … being mightily touched by the large-heartedness of Blast.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., iv. (1877), 87. Suddenly endowed with a new large-heartedness and benevolence.
