The word "liberal" is derived from the latin word, "liber" meaning 'book' or 'freedom.' Liber is the root in library and liberty.
Liberal means worthy of a free man, free from restraint, free in action, free from narrow prejudice, open-minded, candid, free from bigotry, open to the reception of new ideas for proposals of reform.
Antonyms: uneducated, unintellectual, closed of heart, selfish, narrow, contracted, mean, small, fascist, racist, bigoted, homophobic, stingy, close-minded, supportive of monarchy and slavery, against freedom of religious experience and speech, low in birth and mind.
Q. How did "liberal" become such a disparaging word?
A. Politics!