Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real: genuine sympathy; a genuine antique.
- properly so called: a genuine case of smallpox.
- free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere: a genuine person.
- descended from the original stock; pure in breed: a genuine Celtic people.
adjective
- not fake or counterfeit; original; real; authentic
- not pretending; frank; sincere
- being of authentic or original stock
1590s, “natural, not acquired,” from Latin genuinus “native, natural,” from root of gignere “beget” (see genus), perhaps influenced in form by contrasting adulterinus “spurious.” [Alternative etymology is from Latin genu “knee,” from a supposed ancient custom of a father acknowledging paternity of a newborn by placing it on his knee.] Meaning “really proceeding from its reputed source” is from 1660s. Related: Genuinely; genuineness.