Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GEN'ER-OUS, a. [L. generosus; Fr. genereux, from genus, birth, extraction, family. See Gender.]

1. Primarily, being of honorable birth or origin: hence, noble; honorable; magnanimous; applied to persons; as, a generous foe; a generous critic.
2. Noble; honorable; applied to things; as, a generous virtue; generous boldness; It is used also to denote like qualities in irrational animals; as, a generous pack of hounds. Addison.
3. Liberal; bountiful; munificent; free to give; as, a generous friend; a generous father.
4. Strong; full of spirit; as, generous wine. Boyle. Swift.
5. Full; overflowing; abundant; as, a generous cup; a generous table.
6. Sprightly; courageous; as, a generous steed.