ABUNDANCE

abundance, copiousness, teemingness

(noun) the property of a more than adequate quantity or supply; “an age of abundance”

abundance

(noun) (chemistry) the ratio of the total mass of an element in the earth’s crust to the total mass of the earth’s crust; expressed as a percentage or in parts per million

abundance

(noun) (physics) the ratio of the number of atoms of a specific isotope of an element to the total number of isotopes present

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

abundance (countable and uncountable, plural abundances)

A large quantity; many. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]

An overflowing fullness or ample sufficiency; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; plentifulness. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Wealth; affluence; plentiful amount of resources. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Frequency, amount, ratio of something within a given environment or sample. [First attested in the late 19^th century.]

(card games) A bid to take nine or more tricks in solo whist. [First attested in the late 19^th century.]

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

• (large quantity): heap, load; see also lot

• (ample sufficiency): exuberance, copiousness, overflow, plenteousness, plenty; see also excess

• (plentiful amount of resources): riches, affluence, wealth; see also wealth

Source: Wiktionary

A*bun"dance, n. Etym: [OE. (h)abudaunce, abundance, F. abundance, F. abondance, L. abundantia, fr. abundare. See Abound.]

Definition: An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great plenty; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly applicable to quantity only, but sometimes used of number. It is lamentable to remember what abundance of noble blood hath been shed with small benefit to the Christian state. Raleigh.

Syn.

– Exuberance; plenteousness; plenty; copiousness; overflow; riches; affluence; wealth.

– 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition