Excess

Pronunciation

• IPA: /É™kˈsÉ›s/, /ˈɛksÉ›s/
• Rhymes: -É›s

Origin

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.

Full definition of excess

Noun

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.
• circa 1597 William Shakespeare, King John, act 4, sc. 2:To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,To throw a perfume on the violet, . . .Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.
• circa 1690 William Walsh (poet), "Jealosy", in The Poetical Works of William Walsh (1797), p. 19 (Google preview):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 undue indulgence of the appetite; transgression of proper moderation in natural gratifications; intemperance; dissipation.
• Authorized Version|Ephesians|5|18:And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.
• 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book III:Fair Angel, thy desire . . .. . . leads to no excessThat reaches blame
4. (geometry) 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. (British, insurance) A condition on an insurance policy by which the insured pays for a part of the claim.

Synonyms

• US, insurance deductible

Antonyms

• deficiency

Related terms

• exceed
• excessive

Adjective

1. More than is normal, necessary or specified.

Derived terms

• excess baggage