superfluityn.
/ˌsuːpəˈfluːᵻti/, /ˌsjuːpəˈfluːᵻti/, U.S. /ˌsupərˈfluədi/ 1. † b. In plural. Possessions or provisions which are surplus to requirements; surplus goods; leftovers. Obsolete.
a. A superfluous amount or quantity of something; an excessive amount or overabundant supply.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun] > superabundance
flood1340
overabundancea1382
abundancec1384
excessa1387
superfluitya1387
surcarka1400
superabundance?a1475
superfluencea1477
abundancy?1526
superfluousnessa1540
pleurisya1550
inundation1589
exsuperance1603
plethory1606
overplus1609
exuberancy1611
redoundancy1623
superabundancy1628
exsuperancy1638
exuberance1638
floodings1674
plethora1700
embarrassment1815
profligacy1834
overfullness1884
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 465 (MED) Seculer lordes schulde take awey the superfluyte of here possessiouns, and ȝeve it to hem þat nedeþ.
a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) II. 58 Þanne shulde man han etun and diffied, and delyvered him of superfluyte.
?a1500 in G. Henslow Med. Wks. 14th Cent. (1899) 2 (MED) Þan take þe cloþ and put hit in cold water þat þe superfleuyte of alym falle a-wey.
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Mark xii. f. lxiiij They all putt in off their superfluite: But she off her poverte, cast in all that she had.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. ii. 17 To beare the inuentorie of thy shirts, as one for superfluitie, and another for vse. View more context for this quotation
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. vi. 165 Some think private mens superfluity is a necessary evill in a State.
1647 N. Bacon Hist. Disc. Govt. 16 This Island hath from time to time been no other then as a sewer to empty the superfluity of the German Nations.
1732 A. Pope Strange Relation E. Curll in J. Swift et al. Misc.: 3rd Vol. ii. 43 The..heaping together a Superfluity of Wealth without the least Regard of applying it to its proper Uses.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 455 Her superfluity the poor supplies.
1803 T. R. Malthus Ess. Princ. Population (new ed.) i. vi. 82 The common error of confounding a superfluity of inhabitants with great actual population.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda III. v. xxxvi. 77 The distasteful petty empire of her girlhood with its irksome lack of distinction and superfluity of sisters.
1969 Times 6 May 9/4 Should they continue to make vin ordinaire in a country which already produced a superfluity, or should they turn to the production of quality wine?
1986 B. Fussell I Hear Amer. Cooking vi. xxv. 478 California has always had..until recently, a superfluity of fresh crab.
2000 D. Brown in A. Hastings et al. Oxf. Compan. Christian Thought 692/1 The ancient Greeks appear to have moved..to a superfluity of representations in art.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food otherwise characterized > [noun] > left-over food
reliefc1300
ortc1325
broken meatc1384
scrapsa1387
reversionc1450
remissalsc1460
superfluities1483
levet1528
sheet-shaking1543
table crumb1566
relics1576
off-falling1607
analects1623
voiding1680
voidance1740
leftover1866
pot-washings1912
slarts1913
the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > that which is left or remainder > [noun] > what remains in excess
surplusc1374
overplusa1387
thrifta1387
surplusagec1407
surplusagec1407
superplusage1436
overdealc1440
overcome1445
superplusa1450
superfluities1483
upperplus1578
super1626
reserve1646
overs1864
overmatter1887
society > trade and finance > merchandise > [noun] > surplus or excess goods
glut1594
superfluities1613
government surplus1836
1483 ( tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage of Soul (Caxton) iii. ix. f. lvv Many other myght haue ben fed and fulfylled with theyr [sc. gluttons'] superfluytees.
1550 T. Becon Fortresse of Faythfull sig. A.viiiv Men in tymes past dishereted theyr lawful heyres to nouryshe in ydlenes a numbre of ydle bellies..but who now euen of his superfluities doeth any notable thyng for Christes poore members?
1613 T. Adams White Deuil 16 What would you doe, if Christ should charge you, as he did the yoong-man in the Gospell ‘Sell all, and giue to the poore’, that thinke your superfluities a waste?
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 104. ⁋2 They..naturally laid out their superfluities upon pleasure.
1850 J. Cumming Lect. Seven Churches Asia Minor 86 All we have done in the missionary cause..has been to give our superfluities. No man gives charity who gives a mere surplus, or some of the loose change in his pocket.
2. † b. in (also to) superfluity: in an excessive amount; to an excessive degree. Also of superfluity: as an addition. Obsolete.
a. The quality or state of being superfluous; esp. the condition or fact of being more abundant or copious than is necessary, permitted or desirable; excess.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun] > excess, redundancy, or superfluity
un-i-fohOE
surfeita1393
superfluitya1398
over-micklea1400
overmucha1400
nimiety1542
superfluous1552
redundance1572
overflowing1574
overflush1581
overflow1589
overmeasure1591
redundancy1601
a too-much1604
pleonasm1616
overfloat1619
overmuchnessa1637
supernumerariness1652
plusa1721
supervacaneousness1730
supersaturate1860
too-muchness1875
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xxi. 207 Also þat superfluite of moisture is cause why som men rateleþ [L. efficiuntur drauli] þat mowe not sowne alle lettres.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Ellesmere) (1868) l. 436 Of his diete mesurable was he Ffor it was of no superfluitee.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) liiii. 78 The grete wast and superfluyte of her gownes.
a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 126 Þe herys of his berd þat comyth of superfluyte of humors of þe stomok.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Bi Prolixite is superfluitie [printed supfluitie] of wordes in declaryng a thynge.
1591 E. Spenser Ruines of Rome in Complaints xxiii In a vicious bodie, grose disease Soone growes through humours superfluitie.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Bb2 The great quantitie of Bookes maketh a shewe..of superfluitie . View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love Pref. I think there's no folly so great in any Poet of our Age as the superfluity and wast of wit was in some of our predecessors.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 91. ⁋1 He has a Competency of Fortune without Superfluity.
1733 G. Cheyne Eng. Malady iii. iv. 304 Superfluity will always produce Redundancy, whether it be of Phlegm or Choler.
1833 S. T. Coleridge Coll. Lett. (1971) VI. 933 The superfluity of any Light of Information afforded to an habitual Dram Drinker respecting the unutterable evil and misery of his thraldom.
1862 C. Darwin On Var. Contrivances Orchids Fertilised vi. 276 Thus the act of fertilization is completed, and there is no superfluity in the means employed.
1907 Installation News May 3/1 The alleged superfluity of Consulting Engineers... Even amongst consultants undesirables are to be found.
2001 S. Walton Out of It (2002) v. 202 That counted a bottle of wine on a Saturday night as a ‘binge’, with all its associations of ruinous superfluity.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > excessively [phrase] > to excess
at overdonec1175
in (also to) superfluitya1398
in, to (an) excess1526
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xix. cxix. 1358 Sixe is a nombre þat foloweþ vertu. For he passeþ nouȝt in superfluite [L. nec superflue progreditur] nouþer fayleþ in lak and defaute, but holdeth the mene bitwene euene parties.
a1450 Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (New Coll. Oxf.) (1850) 1 Chron. Prol. 314 Siche thingis that weren addid to of superfluyte [L. ex superfluo], he markyde with litil ȝerdis.
c1450 Jacob's Well (1900) 136 Ȝif þou haue a coueytous loue to superfluyte of temperall ryches.
1562 W. Bullein Bk. Use Sicke Men f. li, in Bulwarke of Defence If there be twoo humours, equall aboundyng together, extremely in superfluite.
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. G4 Lives gush not in superfluity Into this world, but their due time do stay.
a1690 R. Barclay Truth Triumphant (1692) 534 If his Estate bear it, and he use it neither in superfluity, nor immoderately, he may do it.
3. Unnecessary, needless, or pointless action or activity. Frequently with infinitive (cf. superfluous adj. 2b). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > uselessness, vanity, or futility > [noun] > futile activity
vanity1303
superfluitya1398
mappery1609
waste-time1609
tautology1639
boondoggling1935
taradiddle1970
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xv. clxviii. 821 I trowe it were superfluyte [L. estimo superfluum] to rekkene alle the godenes and worthines of þise men.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 1824 To make exposicion therof, new or olde, Were but superfluyte.
a1616 J. Smith Expos. Creed (1632) xxviii. 280 Nicodemus did bring an hundred pound of sweet odors of Myrrh and Aloes, to imbalme his body, and lest the Iewes should thinke it were superfluity, it is said, It was the maner of the Iewes to doe so.
1685 R. Paterson Let. 7 Mar. in W. A. Whitehead E. Jersey under Proprietary Govts. (1846) 312 These things are so notoriously known, that it is superfluity to write them.
1833 J. Sergeaunt Serm. xvi. 241 None of you, who live amongst your poorer brethren, will for a single moment think, that the sick and needy are amply provided for, and to give more is superfluity.
1893 Speaker 30 Dec. 728/2 It is superfluity to say of the present volume that the Professor's method is as sound and his execution as conscientious as ever.
1905 R. Garnett William Shakespeare Pedagogue & Poacher 85 So crammed the Court is with particulars, More to adduce were superfluity.
1999 N. K. Chattopa Metaphysics Truth & Materialism 68 It is superfluity to speak that the ‘pure-transient non-dual Being’ could not be stated clearly by a nomenclature.
4. A superfluous part or aspect of something; something which is not essential; an unnecessary thing. Also: †excess growth collectively. Frequently in plural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > sufficient quantity, amount, or degree > excessive amount or degree > [noun] > excess, redundancy, or superfluity > that which is superfluous > a superfluous thing, part, or person
superfluitya1398
the fifth wheel of a coach, waggon1631
redundancy1631
superfluency1672
expletive1688
a spare prick1961
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. xcviii. 989 The appil tree waxeþ bareyne but it be ypared, yschrudde, and descharged of [water]bowes and of superfluite [L. a superfluis].
a1400 tr. Lanfranc Sci. Cirurgie (Ashm.) (1894) 20 Þe sixte fingre of þe hond & manye superfluytees..beþ nouȝt semelich to a mannys body.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iii. i. 76 A crokyd hachet for to cutte of the superfluytees of the vignes and trees.
1553 R. Eden tr. S. Münster Treat. Newe India sig. Kviijv Ryches & superfluites contemned.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 493 [One who] may shrowde of all vnprofitable and withered superfluities and reduplications.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. ⁋3 What thanks had he for cutting off the superfluities of the lawes?
1628 T. Spencer Art of Logick 189 The superfluities of a definition are 6.
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 223 These Superfluities..are become as it were Essential to the Nature of the Users.
1749 L. Pilkington Mem. (new ed.) I. 82 To debar himself of what he calls the Superfluities of Life, in order to administer to the Necessities of the Distressed.
1776 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations I. i. xi. 239 When we are in want of necessaries we must part with all superfluities . View more context for this quotation
1796 J. Morse Amer. Universal Geogr. (new ed.) I. 295 The colonies therefore entered into measures to..retrench the use of foreign superfluities.
1828 T. Carlyle in Foreign Rev. Sept. 93 In the eyes of Voltaire and his disciples, Religion was a superfluity, indeed a nuisance.
1860 R. W. Emerson Culture in Conduct of Life (London ed.) 136 Self-denial..that saves on superfluities, and spends on essentials.
1917 E. B. Holt & W. James tr. T. Flournoy Philos. William James viii. 128 The steadfast renunciation of the luxuries and superfluities of life.
1988 P. Brown Body & Society xv. 309 Marriage was a superfluity rendered necessary only by the fall of Adam.
2009 Uttoxeter Post & Times (Nexis) 18 Sept. 43 They've stripped away the superfluities found on many so-called family vehicles and the result is the Doblo.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > discharge of menses > [noun]
purgationa1398
superfluities of the mothera1398
termsc1450
the custom of women1560
visit1653
menstruation1754
lunation1822
periodicity1848
friend1889
the curse1930
the world > life > the body > organs of excretion > excretions > [noun]
flux1382
superfluitya1398
outwaxing?1541
excrement1565
recrement1578
profluvium1603
redeliverage1612
evacuation1625
excretion1630
staxis1745
egesta1787
rejectments1818
rejectamenta1834
rejection1838
excreta1857
excretes1883
output1883
ejecta1890
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. v. xiii. 192 The firste hole [sc. nasal passage] is nedeful to putte of superfluytees þat comeþ fro þe brayn, and þe oþir to drawe spirit and breþ.
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 144, in Middle Eng. Dict. at Superfluite But virus, crusta, and rotennesse and alle maner superfluites of vlcus oþer of olde sores ben allonelye engenderd of innaturel hete.
c1450 in W. R. Dawson Leechbk. (1934) 26 (MED) For to dry þe superfluitese of þe modre.
a1500 in Archiv für Geschichte der Medizin (1912) 5 73 The hert, the lyver, and the brayne..eche..haue their clensyng place, wher he may putte oute his superfluitees.
1539 T. Elyot Castel of Helthe (new ed.) ii. 19. f. 34 Olde men haue nede of suche wynes, whiche do prouoke vrine: for as moch as in them doo abounde watry excrementes or superfluities.
1650 N. Culpeper Ephemeris for 1651 sig. K Of all these Humors, Blood is the chief, all the rest are but superfluities of Blood; yet are they necessary superfluities, for without any of them, man cannot live. Namely, Choller is the Fiery superfluity; Flegm, the Watery; Melancholly the Earthly.
1698 J. Pechey Compl. Midwife's Pract. Enlarged (ed. 5) iv. ii. 98 Two other Tunicles..defend the Infant from being clogged with any superfluities, as from the Flowers retained after Conception.
1701 tr. C. G. le Clerc Compleat Surgeon (ed. 3) 375 This Ointment consumes putrify'd Flesh, and the Superfluities of Ulcers and Wounds.
1776 L. Chalmers Acct. Weather & Dis. South-Carolina II. iii. 130 The ingesta, when of a salubrious quality,..seldom produce any disease; the several secreting organs, then performing their offices promptly, so as to free the body of superfluities.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > lack of moderation or restraint > [noun]
unimetec888
unmethelOE
overdeeda1200
unmetheshipa1250
outragec1325
ragec1330
reveriec1350
delavinessc1380
recolagea1400
dissolutionc1400
superfluityc1405
wantonness1448
intemperancy1532
intemperacy?1541
untemperance?1541
intemperance1547
excess1552
immoderateness1569
intemperateness1571
unbridledness1571
inordinateness1577
untemperateness1578
dissoluteness1580
acrasia1590
acrasy1590
intemperature1602
inordination1615
inordinancya1617
immoderation1640
extravagancy1651
debauch1672
extravagance1676
incontinency1715
extravaganza1754
incontinence1836
unmeasuredness1864
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Pardoner's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 143 They..ete also and drynke ouer hir myght Thurgh which they doon the deuel sacrifise..By superfluytee abhomynable.
c1450 (?c1425) St. Mary of Oignies ii. iv, in Anglia (1885) 8 161 (MED) Whan a man fleeþ superfluyte, [he] sumtyme fallith into chynchery.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 51 He..ȝafe hym to ydelnes, lecchery, and to superfluites, wastenge nyȝhtes in lechery and synne.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccxi. 252 He shewed many thynges to fall on the prelates of the Churche, for the great superfluitie and pryde that was as than vsed amonge theym.
1541 in J. W. Clay Testamenta Eboracensia (1902) VI. 139 I will that..no superfluyte be mayde at my buriall.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxxiv. iii. 854 That we might not be stinted and gaged in our excessive expenses, in our dissolute profusion, in costly vanities and superfluities.
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxx. 179 They,..whom superfluity, or sloth carrieth after their sensuall pleasures.
1801 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 82 A rigid economy of our resources,..a retrenchment of every superfluity on the part of the opulent.
7. A collective term for: a group of nuns. Cf. sense 1a. rare.One of many alleged group names found in late Middle English glossarial sources. Revived in 20th cent.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > monasticism > nun > [noun] > collectively
superfluitya1450
nunnery1600
a1450 Terms Assoc. in PMLA (1936) 51 604 (MED) A superfluite of nonnes.
a1475 in J. Hodgkin Proper Terms (1909) 48 (MED) A Superflovite of nonnys.
1905 H. A. Evans Highways & Byways Oxf. & Cotswolds xi. 266 These probably mark the dwelling of a..superfluity of nuns from Godstow.
2003 E. Feldman Lucy (2004) v. 64 There's also—now, you're not going to like these, Lucy—a rage of maidens, and an impatience of wives, and a superfluity of nuns.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.a1387