Definition of "liberate"

liberate

/ˈlɪbəɹeɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present liberates, present participle liberating, simple past and past participle liberated
1. (transitive) To set free, to make or allow to be free, particularly
  1. To release from slavery: to manumit.
  2. To release from servitude or unjust rule.
  3. To release from restraint or inhibition.
    Quotations
    Jeeves: Foreign travel often liberates emotions best kept in check, sir. The air of North America is notoriously stimulating in this regard, as witness the regrettable behavior of its inhabitants in 1776.B. Wooster: Hm? What happened in 1776, Jeeves?Jeeves: I prefer not to dwell on it, if it's convenient to you, sir.
    1991 May 12, “Kidnapped!”, in Jeeves and Wooster, Series 2, Episode 5
  4. (chemistry) To release from chemical bonds or solutions.
2. (transitive, military, euphemistic) To acquire from an enemy during wartime, used especially of cities, regions, and other population centers.
3. (transitive, euphemistic) To acquire from another by theft or force: to steal, to rob.
  Quotations
  I had proven myself, when I was required to liberate (steal) dynamite, steal cars for robberies, and to perform disciplinary action against party members.
  1969, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Government Operations. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Riots, Civil and Criminal Disorders, page 3796
  For expedience, he intended to use his talents to liberate a few choice bottles from the wine cellars without going through the difficulty of a formal requisition.
  1986, Jack Hemingway, Misadventures of a Fly Fisherman: My Life with and Without Papa, page 158
  He was trying to liberate some funds for the revolution from a liquor store, and he got caught. It was his first time out, and he got flat-ass caught.
  2014, Collin Wilcox, Doctor, Lawyer

Definition of "liberate"

liberate

verb

Quotations

Quotations