overnumerousness

English

Etymology

First attested in 1890; formed as overnumerous +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: ō'vərnyo͞oʹmərəsnəs, IPA^(key): /ˌəʊvəˈnjuːməɹəsnəs/
• (US) enPR: ō'vərno͞oʹmərəsnəs, IPA^(key): /ˌoʊvɚˈnuməɹəsnəs/

Noun

overnumerousness (uncountable)

1. (rare) The quality or condition of being too numerous.
   • 1890, Ellery Sedgwick (editor), Frank Leslie’s Popular Monthly XXIX, page 347

     The city has now only three small newspapers, which are not abreast with its general progress or that of the State, chiefly because they do not receive sufficient patronage, owing to the overnumerousness of the negro population.

   • 2007, Michael C. Finke, Julie W. De Sherbinin, editors, Chekhov the Immigrant, page 46:

     His family name is as long as the word overnumerousness and derives from a songless Latin word referring to one of the countless human virtues.

   • 2010 July 2nd, Graham Linehan, The IT Crowd IV:ii: “The Final Countdown”, 20:55–21:06

     Moss as “Word”: What do you call Negative One, sitting alone, in an empty room? […] Overnumerousness!