- Abundance
- Abundance A*bun"dance ([.a]*b[u^]n"dans), n. [OE.
(h)abundaunce, abundance, F. abondance, L. abundantia, fr.
abundare. See {Abound}.]
An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty;
profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly
applicable to quantity only, but sometimes used of number.
[1913 Webster]
It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state. --Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Exuberance; plenteousness; plenty; copiousness; overflow; riches; affluence; wealth.
Usage: {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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
