excess
nounadjectiveverbattested in dialogue
- //ˈɛksɛs//
- //ɪkˈsɛs//
- //əkˈsɛs//
The state of surpassing or going beyond a limit; the state of being beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; more than what is usual or proper.
noun
- 1
The state of surpassing or going beyond a limit; the state of being beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; more than what is usual or proper.
The excess of heavy water was given away to the neighbouring country.
I leaped up in an excess of enthusiasm.
To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, […] Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
That kills me with excess of grief, this with excess of joy.
- 2
The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds another; remainder.
The difference between two numbers is the excess of one over the other.
- 3
An act of eating or drinking more than enough.
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.
Fair Angel, thy desire . . . . . . leads to no excess That reaches blame
- 4
Spherical excess, the amount by which the sum of the three angles of a spherical triangle exceeds two right angles. The spherical excess is proportional to the area of the triangle.
- 5
A condition on an insurance policy by which the insured pays for a part of the claim.
Etymology
From Middle English exces (“excess, ecstasy”), from Old French exces, from Latin excessus (“a going out, loss of self-possession”), from excedere, excessum (“to go out, go beyond”). See exceed.
adjective
- 1
More than is normal, necessary or specified.
verb
- 1
To declare (an employee) surplus to requirements, such that he or she might not be given work.
In 2006, I was excessed because my program had to make a few cuts and a new, inexperienced supervisor decided that he couldn’t handle a knowledgeable older teacher so he removed me.
Forms
- plural
- excesses
- past tense
- excessed
- past participle
- excessed
- present participle
- excessing
- third person singular
- excesses
excess · The state of surpassing or going beyond a limit; the state of being beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; more than what is usual or proper.
excessive · Exceeding the usual bounds of something; too much (of…exchange · An act of exchanging or trading.excite · To stir the emotions of; to cause to feel excitement.