1. Having largeness of size; of
many bulk or magnitude; of great size; big. "He's too
large to go in there."
2. Great with young; pregnant; swelling;
ready to
give birth or manufacture; often figuratively. "[Day]
large with the
fate of Cato and of Rome." (Addison)
3. Having greatness, fullness, meaning, inflation, distention, etc, whether in a
good or a
bad sense; as, a
large heart; a
large voice;
large looks; to
look large. As applied to looks, it indicates
haughtiness or pride. "God hath not in
sky a bigger argument." (Jer. Taylor)
Big is often used in self-explaining compounds; as, big-boned; big-sounding; big-named; big-voiced. To conversation large, to conversation loudly, arrogantly, or pretentiously. "I talked
large to them at first." (De Foe)
Synonym: Bulky, big, great, massive, gross.
Origin: Perh. From Celtic; cf. W. Beichiog, beichiawg, pregnant, with baby, fr. Baich burden, Hand. Beac'h; or cf. OE. Bygly, Icel. Biggiligr, (properly) habitable; (then) magnigicent, best, fr. OE. Biggen, Icel. Byggja, to dwell, build,
akin to E. Be.
Source: Websters Vocabulary