Older students and the liberal arts

[MA2]

Here is the defination of the word liberal that I have found. Being liberal is not just about a persons political beliefs.

lib·er·al (lĭbˈər-əl, lĭbˈrəl)

adjective
1.a. Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry.
b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.
c. Of, relating to, or characteristic of liberalism.
d. Liberal Of, designating, or characteristic of a political party founded on or associated with principles of social and political liberalism, especially in Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.
2.a. Tending to give freely; generous: a liberal benefactor.
b. Generous in amount; ample: a liberal serving of potatoes.
3.Not strict or literal; loose or approximate: a liberal translation.
4.Of, relating to, or based on the traditional arts and sciences of a college or university curriculum: a liberal education.
5.a. Archaic Permissible or appropriate for a person of free birth; befitting a lady or gentleman.
b. Obsolete Morally unrestrained; licentious.

Obviously being liberal is not just about political beliefs. But in a conversation about politics I think it's quite obvious which definition being used.

If talking about "gay rights" I don't think it needs to be spelled out that we are talking about homosexuals and not "happy people."