noun

munificence

myoo-NIF-ih-suns/mjuːˈnɪfɪsns/

Great generosity in giving.

The woman's munificence astonishes the recipient of the bicycle and many presents.

An older woman gives a young man an exceptionally abundant collection of presents: a new bicycle with a large gift bow and a low trolley piled with individually wrapped gifts.

Etymology

muniLatingift, service

+ficLatinmake, do

+enceLatinquality, state

The roots describe “present-making,” using the gift sense of munus. The ancestral adjective already meant generous or bountiful, so munificence names lavish giving rather than merely the act of making a gift.

In context

Storytime Haven243:20

"I am astonished at your munificence," said Carne. "To be perfectly candid with you, I don’t know that I have ever heard of such a present before."

A Prince of Swindlers 👑💰 | A Tale of Deceit and Adventure by Guy Boothby

More examples

Thanks to her munificence, the shelter can feed every visitor.
His munificence extends beyond money to gifts of land and equipment.
The museum honors the family's munificence with a plaque.

Forms

munificence

munificent adjective — Very generous in giving money or gifts.

Similar words

generosity: Broader term that does not necessarily imply exceptionally lavish giving.
largesse: Often refers to lavish gifts themselves, especially from wealthy donors.