abundance

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English

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Alternative forms

Etymology

Pronunciation

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  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

abundance (countable and uncountable, 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 by Sir Walter Raleigh and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
      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

  • 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

Translations

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Philip Babcock Gove (editor), Webster's Third International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (G. & C. Merriam Co., 1976 [1909], →ISBN), page 8
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief, William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “abundance”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford, New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 10.

Scots

Etymology

From Middle English abundaunce, from Old French habundance, from Latin abundantia. Equivalent to abund +‎ -ance.

Noun

abundance (plural abundances)

  1. An abundance; enough.

References

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