Largesse is generous bestowal of gifts or money, typically in a public or formal context. It denotes lavish or openhanded giving, often by a person of means or an organization, and can imply a sense of gratitude or display. The term emphasizes abundance and benevolence rather than mere charity.
"The charity’s largesse funded a new hospital wing."
"He was impressed by the king’s openhearted largesse toward his subjects."
"Her gifts, though small, reflected personal largesse and kindness."
"Critics noted the politician’s sudden display of corporate largesse at the fundraiser."
Largesse comes from the Old French largesse, which itself derives from large (free, generous) and -esse (a suffix forming abstract nouns). The term entered Middle English in the 14th century, retaining its sense of generous giving and distribution. Its Latin precursor is largitas, from largus meaning abundant or plentiful. Over time, the word shifted from a practical act of giving to a more formal or ceremonial connotation, especially when referring to sums of money or gifts donated by aristocracy or institutions. In modern usage, largesse often appears in contexts discussing philanthropy, government spending, or corporate generosity, sometimes with a lightly ironic or critical tone about conspicuous displays of wealth. First known written uses appear in medieval chronicles and court records, where rulers and nobles endowed institutions or communities, establishing the term’s association with lavish, public benevolence. The evolution mirrors social attitudes toward wealth and charity, from direct personal giving to broader, institutional philanthropy and public sponsorship. In contemporary prose, largesse can carry both positive connotations of generosity and critical nuances related to power, influence, and perceived self-interest of the giver.
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Words that rhyme with "Largesse"
-age sounds
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Pronunciation is /ˈlɑːrdʒəs/ in US English and /ˈlɑːdʒɪs/ in UK English; Australian tends toward /ˈlɑːdʒəs/ as well. The stress is on the first syllable: LAR- gess. The middle shows a /dʒ/ sound (as in judge) represented by the letter combination -ge-. The final syllable is a short, unstressed /əs/. Visualize the mouth starting with an open back vowel /ɑː/ and then a voiced affricate /dʒ/ before a schwa-like /ə/ or /ɪ/ depending on accent. You’ll want to keep the /r/ quiet in non-rhotic accents; in rhotic US, you’ll perceive a light /r/ depending on vowel before it, but the primary cue is the /dʒ/ blend into a weak final /-əs/. Audio reference: consider listening to reputable dictionaries or Pronounce resources for the /ˈlɑːrdʒəs/ sequence.
Common errors: (1) Misplacing the /dʒ/: people say /lɑːɡrɛs/ or /lɑːɡɜs/ by anglicizing to a hard g; correct is /dʒ/ as in judge, not /ɡ/. (2) Stress misplacement: stressing the second syllable or treating it as /ˈlɑːrdʒes/; correct primary stress is on the first syllable (/ˈlɑːrdʒəs/). (3) Final vowel: avoid turning the final /əs/ into a full /əs/ with a heavy 'e' sound; keep it unstressed schwa. To fix, practice the sequence LAR-джəs with a quick, light /ə/ at the end; use minimal pairs to lock in the /dʒ/ blend. Recording yourself helps confirm correct timing and vowel reduction.
US: rhotic; the /r/ is pronounced and often followed by a clear /dʒ/ cluster; strong first syllable with /ɑː/ as in father. UK: non-rhotic; /r/ is not pronounced before consonants; vowel quality in /ɑː/ is broad; final /əs/ reduced. AU: similar to UK but with slightly broader vowels and vowel merging tendencies; listen for /ˈlɑːdʒɪs/ vs /ˈlɑːrdʒəs/. The key is the middle /dʒ/ consonant and the vowel length of the first syllable; non-rhotic accents may lead to a less pronounced /r/ and a shorter nucleus. Use IPA references and practice with native-speech resources to fine-tune each variant.
The difficulty centers on the /dʒ/ consonant cluster after an open back vowel and the final unstressed /ə/ or /ɪ/ sound. Learners often substitute a /g/ or /ʒ/ or reduce the first vowel, leading to /lɑːɡrəs/ or /lɑːdʒɪs/ incorrectly. The sharp onset of /dʒ/ requires a precise tongue tilt and air release. Also, non-rhotic varieties reduce the audible /r/, which can alter perceived syllable count. Focusing on isolating the /dʒ/ sound, keeping the first syllable stressed, and lightly voicing the final schwa will improve accuracy.
Yes. The final 'e' is not pronounced as a separate vowel; in 'largesse' the ending is /əs/ where the /e/ is part of the spelling but not the pronunciation. The phonetic ending is the unstressed /əs/ or /ɪz/ depending on accent and stress; the silent or subtle e arises because English orthography maps sound to a short schwa or weak vowel. Focus on the /əs/ ending rather than an explicit /e/. Practicing the final syllable with a soft, quick /ə/ will help you avoid an artificial long e.
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