- Excess
- Excess Ex*cess", n. [OE. exces, excess, ecstasy, L. excessus a
going out, loss of self-possession, fr. excedere, excessum,
to go out, go beyond: cf. F. exc[`e]s. See {Exceed}.]
1. The state of surpassing or going beyond limits; the being
of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that
which exceeds what is usual or proper; immoderateness;
superfluity; superabundance; extravagance; as, an excess
of provisions or of light.
[1913 Webster]
To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, . . . Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
That kills me with excess of grief, this with excess of joy. --Walsh. [1913 Webster]
2. An undue indulgence of the appetite; transgression of proper moderation in natural gratifications; intemperance; dissipation. [1913 Webster]
Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess. --Eph. v. 18. [1913 Webster]
Thy desire . . . leads to no excess That reaches blame. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds another; remainder; as, the difference between two numbers is the excess of one over the other. [1913 Webster]
{Spherical excess} (Geom.), 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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.