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Alternative forms[edit]


From Middle English abundaunce, habaundance,[1] from Old French habundance[2], abondance, from Latin abundantia ‎(fullness, plenty), from abundō ‎(to overflow). See abound.



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
  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.


Related terms[edit]



  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Lesley Brown (editor), The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, 5th edition (Oxford University Press, 2003 [1933], ISBN 978-0-19-860575-7), page 10