Definition of liberal arts

< liberal

liberalism >

liberal arts

pl.n.

1. Academic disciplines, such as languages, literature, history, philosophy, mathematics, and science, that provide information of general cultural concern: "The term 'liberal arts' connotes a certain elevation above utilitarian concerns. Yet liberal education is intensely useful" (George F. Will).
2. The disciplines comprising the trivium and quadrivium.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, translation of Medieval Latin arts liberls, the trivium and quadrivium : Latin arts pl. of Latin ars, art-, subject of study + lberls, pl. of lberlis, proper to free persons