Magnanimity is the virtue of being generously forgiving and noble of mind, especially in hard circumstances. It denotes large-souled generosity, often accompanied by a willingness to overlook injuries or slights. In practice, magnanimity combines moral generosity with dignified restraint and empathetic regard for others.
"Her magnanimity in victory was noted by opponents who expected bitterness."
"Despite the dispute, he responded with magnanimity, offering a conciliatory gesture."
"The mentor praised the student's magnanimity for admitting mistakes and moving forward."
"In a rare display of magnanimity, she forgave the debtor despite repeated delays."
Magnanimity originates from Latin magnanimitas, formed from magnus (great) + animus (soul, mind) with the abstract noun suffix -itas. The term conveys greatness of spirit or soul in moral action. The root magn- meaning great, paired with animus, appears in many English words that describe lofty character. The earliest English attestations trace to the 15th century via ecclesiastical and classical-revival diction, drawing on Latin scholarly translations. Over time, magnanimity retained its refined, almost noble connotation, distinguishing it from mere generosity by emphasizing moral stature, long-term perspective, and the capacity to rise above personal hurt. In modern usage, it is employed in ethical discourse, leadership rhetoric, and literature to commend virtue that prioritizes the common good and empathetic justice even in adversity.
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Words that rhyme with "Magnanimity"
-ity sounds
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Pronounce as mag-na-NIM-i-ty with the primary stress on the third syllable: /ˌmæɡ.næ.nɪˈmɪ.ti/ (US/UK). Start with /m/ plus a broad /æ/ in MAG-, then /næ/ in NA-, then a light /nɪ/ in -n i, and finally the stressed /ˈmɪ/ in MITY, ending with /ti/. Tip: think 'MAG-na-NIM-i-ty' with emphasis on NIM. Listen for a clean short i in the penultimate syllable.
Common errors: misplacing the stress (trying to stress the first or second syllable), pronouncing the middle -nim- as a hard 'nam' or 'nim' without the correct schwa-like vowel, and over-emphasizing the final -ty. Correction: place primary stress on the third syllable: mag-na-NIM-i-ty. Use /nɪ/ for the -ni- before -ty, and keep the final /ti/ short and crisp. Practice saying the word slowly as four distinct beats: MAG + na + NIM + i + ty, then blend.
In US, UK, and AU, the core vowels are similar, but the rhotics differ: US rhotics are pronounced /ˈmæɡ.næ.nɪˌmɪ.ti/ with a post-vocalic /r/ not present here; UK and AU share non-rhotic tendencies, so the /r/ is not pronounced. Vowel quality on the first /æ/ remains bright in US and AU; UK may exhibit a slightly closer fronted /æ/ depending on region. The middle /ɪ/ is short, and the final /ti/ remains a crisp /ti/. The main variation is melodic rhythm and vowel length influenced by accent.
Three challenges: 1) maintaining correct syllable-timing across four syllables with shifting emphasis; 2) choosing the short /ɪ/ in the penultimate position without sliding into /i/ or /ɪə/; 3) ensuring the exact stress on the third syllable while keeping a smooth overall flow. Practice by isolating NIM and aligning it with a controlled breath, then add the preceding and following syllables. Use IPA cues /ˌmæɡ.næ.nɪˈmɪ.ti/ to anchor pronunciation.
Yes, the unusual sequence mag-na-NIM-i-ty places stress on a mid syllable rather than the initial or final syllable, which is less common in English multisyllabic nouns. Also, the combination of -nim- with a short /i/ in i- tends to cause tendency to reduce to a lighter /ɪ/ sound if spoken quickly. Focus on keeping the /nɪ/ distinct and then the final /ti/ clipped. IPA guide: /ˌmæɡ.næ.nɪˈmɪ.ti/.
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