abundance

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

English [edit]

Wikipedia has an article on:

Wikipedia

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Pronunciation [edit]

  • (RP) IPA: /əˈbʌn.dn̩s/
  • (US) IPA: /əˈbʌn.dn̩s/, /əˈbʌn.dn̩ts/, /əˈbn̩.dn̩s/[1]
  • (file)

Noun [edit]

abundance (plural abundances)

  1. A large quantity; many. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.][2]
  2. An overflowing fullness or ample sufficiency; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; plentifulness. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][2]
    • (Can we date this quote?) Sir Walter Raleigh
      It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state.
  3. Wealth; affluence; plentiful amount of resources. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.][2]
  4. Frequency, amount, ratio of something within a given environment or sample. [First attested in the late 19th century.][2]
  5. (card games) A bid to take nine or more tricks in solo whist. [First attested in the late 19th century.][2]


Usage notes [edit]

  • Synonym notes: Abundance, Plenty, Exuberance. These words rise upon each other in expressing the idea of fullness.
    • Plenty denotes a sufficiency to supply every want; as, plenty of food, plenty of money, etc.
    • Abundance express more, and gives the idea of superfluity or excess; as, abundance of riches, an abundance of wit and humor; often, however, it only denotes plenty in a high degree.
    • Exuberance rises still higher, and implies a bursting forth on every side, producing great superfluity or redundance; as, an exuberance of mirth, an exuberance of animal spirits, etc.

Synonyms [edit]

Related terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

References [edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1976 [1909], Gove, Philip Babcock editor, Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language Unabridged, Springfield, MA: G. & C. Merriam Co., ISBN 0-87779-101-5, page 8:
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2003 [1933], Brown, Lesley editor, The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, edition 5th, Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7, page 10: