lady bountiful
A wealthy woman acts as a lady bountiful by distributing baskets of food to the poor.
Definition
- Noun:
- A generous female benefactor: "lady bountiful" refers to a woman who is known for her charitable giving, often in a patronizing or ostentatious manner.
- A stock character: In literature and drama, "lady bountiful" is a stereotypical figure of a wealthy, aristocratic woman who distributes gifts or aid to the poor, sometimes with condescension.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The local lady bountiful donated a new wing to the hospital. (A generous female benefactor who gave a large gift.)
- In the play, the character of Lady Bountiful arrives to hand out baskets of food to the villagers. (A stock character representing charitable giving.)
Advanced Usage
- "to play the lady bountiful": to act in a patronizingly generous manner.
- She always plays the lady bountiful at charity events, making sure everyone knows who is providing the funds. (She behaves in a showy, condescending way when giving.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lady Bountiful (proper noun): The original character from George Farquhar's 1707 play , representing a wealthy, benevolent woman.
- The term "lady bountiful" originated from this character. (The phrase comes from a specific dramatic role.)
Synonyms
- Benefactress: a woman who gives help or money, especially to a charity.
- Philanthropist: a person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money.
- Patroness: a woman who supports a person, organization, or cause financially.
Related Idioms
- Lady Bountiful (as a proper noun): Used generically to describe any woman who gives generously but with an air of superiority.
- She arrived at the shelter like a Lady Bountiful, expecting gratitude for her modest donation. (She behaved condescendingly while giving.)