—adj. 1. of more than average size, quantity, degree, etc.; exceeding that which is common to a kind or class; big; great: a large house; a large number; in large measure; to a large extent. 2. on a great scale: a large producer of kitchen equipment. 3. of great scope or range; extensive; broad.
4. grand or pompous: a man given tolarge, bombastic talk. 5. (of a map, model, etc.) representing the features of the original with features of its own that are relatively large so that great detail may be shown.
6. famous; successful; important: He's very large in financial circles. 7. Obs.generous; bountiful; lavish.
8. Obs. a. unrestrained in the use of language; gross; improper.
b. unrestrained in behavior or manner; uninhibited.
9. Naut.free (def. 33).
—n. 1. Music.the longest note in mensural notation.
2. Obs.generosity; bounty.
3. at large, a. free from restraint or confinement; at liberty: The murderer is still at large. b. to a considerable extent; at length: to treat a subject at large. c. as a whole; in general: the country at large. d. Also,at-large.representing the whole of a state, district, or body rather than one division or part of it: a delegate at large. 4. in large, on a large scale; from a broad point of view: a problem seen in large.Also,in the large.
—adv. Naut.with the wind free or abaft the beam so that all sails draw fully.