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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | liberté, from Latin libertas, from liber 'free' |
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lib‧er‧ty
plural liberties
plural liberties1 the freedom and the right to do whatever you want without asking permission or being afraid of authority : 
the fight for liberty and equality
freedom
[uncountable]the fight for liberty and equality2 a particular legal right : liberties such as freedom of speech ➔ civil liberty
legal right
[countable usually plural]liberties such as freedom of speech3 something you do without asking permission, especially which may offend or upset someone else
without permission
[singular]4 to have the right or permission to do something : I am not at liberty to discuss these matters.
be at liberty to do something
formalI am not at liberty to discuss these matters.5
take liberties with somebody/something
a) to make unreasonable changes in something such as a piece of writing : The film-makers took too many liberties with the original novel.
The film-makers took too many liberties with the original novel.b) old-fashioned to treat someone without respect by being too friendly too quickly, especially in a sexual way : He's been taking liberties with our female staff.
He's been taking liberties with our female staff.6 if a prisoner or an animal is at liberty, they are no longer in prison or enclosed in a small place [= free]
