What is the meaning of liberal?

noun

• A person who favors a political philosophy of progress and reform and the protection of civil liberties.
  • synonyms: liberalist, progressive
• A person who favors an economic theory of laissez-faire and self-regulating markets.

adjective

• Showing or characterized by broad-mindedness.
  • usage: "a broad political stance"; "generous and broad sympathies"; "a liberal newspaper"; "tolerant of his opponent's opinions"
  • synonyms: broad, large-minded, tolerant
• Having political or social views favoring reform and progress.
• Tolerant of change; not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or tradition.
• Given or giving freely.
  • usage: "was a big tipper"; "the bounteous goodness of God"; "bountiful compliments"; "a freehanded host"; "a handsome allowance"; "Saturday's child is loving and giving"; "a liberal backer of the arts"; "a munificent gift"; "her fond and openhanded grandfather"
  • synonyms: big, bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, freehanded, handsome, giving, openhanded
• Not literal.
  • usage: "a loose interpretation of what she had been told"; "a free translation of the poem"
  • synonyms: free, loose