at large meaning

• Adverb: at large
  1. In a general fashion
     "he talked at large about his plans"
     - in a broad way
  Adjective: at large
  1. Having escaped, especially from confinement
     "a convict still at large"
     - escaped, loose, on the loose

  See also: free

  Encyclopedia: At large

• 
  [American idiom]
  free; uncaptured. (Usually said of criminals running loose.)
  • At noon the day after the robbery, the thieves were still at large.
  • There is a murderer at large in the city.
  
• 
  [American slang]
  1. free; uncaptured. (Usually said of criminals not in custody.)
    At noon, the day after the robbery, the thieves were still at large.
    There is a murderer at large in the city!
  2. in general; according to a general sample.
    Truck drivers at large don't like the new speed restriction on the highway.
    Students at large felt that discipline was too strict.
  3. representing the whole group rather than its subsections. (Always refers to a special kind of elective office.)
    He ran for representative at large.
    She represented shareholders at large on the governing board.

• by and large:    Adverb: by and lar ...
• large:    Adjective: large ( ...
• large it:    [British slang]Ver ...

Examples

1. "is there wine?" robert jordan asked the table at large.
2. ruth's life was endangered by cancerous cells at large in her body.
3. she looked ghostly, as if she were merely a soul at large.
4. i think it might be done if you really wished to be more at large.
5. to the country at large he promised abundance if the republicans won.