1Liberal adj.: 1. a; of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts <~education> b (archaic) ; of or befitting a man of free birth 2. a; Generous or Openhanded <a~giver> b; given or provided in a generous and openhanded way <a~meal> c; Ample, Full 3. (obs) lacking moral restraint : licentious 4. not literal or strict : loose 5. Broad minded; especially not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy or traditional forms 6. a; of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b; (cap) of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives.

2Liberal n: one who is liberal as a; one who is open minded or not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways b; (cap) a member or supporter of a liberal political party c; an advocate or adherent of liberalism especially in the individual rights.


Liberalism n 1. the quality or state of being liberal 2. a; a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing the intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b; a theory in economics emphasizing the individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self regulating market, and the gold standard c; a political philosophy based on the belief in progress, the essential goodness of man, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties d; (cap) the principles and policies of a Liberal party

Websters New College Dictionary


Based on definition 2 a-c of the noun of Liberalism, I can't understand the Right wing hatred of Liberalism. I guess it's because they don't actually understand it's meaning.