liberate

The definition of liberate is to free or emancipate someone or something, or to steal something.

(verb)

When you free a prisoner, this is an example of a time when you liberate the prisoner.
When you free someone from slavery or from being held by the enemy, this is an example of a time when you liberate him.
When you steal an item from its owner, this is an example of a time when you liberate the item.

See liberate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

Origin: < L liberatus, pp. of liberare, to set free, release < liber, free: see liberal

See liberate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb lib·er·at·ed, lib·er·at·ing, lib·er·ates

To set free, as from oppression, confinement, or foreign control.
Chemistry To release (a gas, for example) from combination.
Slang To obtain by illegal or stealthy action: tried to sell appliances that were liberated during the riot.

Origin:

Origin: Latin līberāre, līberāt-

Origin: , from līber, free; see leudh- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: