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Luxuries

 - 3 dictionary results

lux⋅u⋅ry

[luhk-shuh-ree, luhg-zhuh-] noun, plural -ries, adjective
–noun
1. a material object, service, etc., conducive to sumptuous living, usually a delicacy, elegance, or refinement of living rather than a necessity: Gold cufflinks were a luxury not allowed for in his budget.
2. free or habitual indulgence in or enjoyment of comforts and pleasures in addition to those necessary for a reasonable standard of well-being: a life of luxury on the French Riviera.
3. a means of ministering to such indulgence or enjoyment: This travel plan gives you the luxury of choosing which countries you can visit.
4. a pleasure out of the ordinary allowed to oneself: the luxury of an extra piece of the cake.
5. a foolish or worthless form of self-indulgence: the luxury of self-pity.
6. Archaic. lust; lasciviousness; lechery.
–adjective
7. of, pertaining to, or affording luxury: a luxury hotel.

Origin:
1300–50; ME luxurie < L luxuria rankness, luxuriance, equiv. to luxur- (comb. form of luxus extravagance) + -ia -y 3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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lux·u·ry   (lŭg'zhə-rē, lŭk'shə-)   
n.   pl. lux·u·ries
  1. Something inessential but conducive to pleasure and comfort.

  2. Something expensive or hard to obtain.

  3. Sumptuous living or surroundings: lives in luxury.

adj.  Providing luxury: a luxury car.

[Middle English luxurie, lust, from Old French, from Latin luxuria, excess, luxury, from luxus.]
Synonyms: These nouns denote something desirable that is not a necessity: the real luxury of riding in a limousine; a simple wedding without any extravagances; caviar and other culinary frills.
Antonym: necessity
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

luxury 
1340, "lasciviousness, sinful self-indulgence," from O.Fr. luxurie, from L. luxuria "excess, luxury," from luxus "excess, extravagance, magnificence," probably a fig. use of luxus (adj.) "dislocated," which is related to luctari "wrestle, strain." Lost its pejorative taint 17c. Meaning "habit of indulgence in what is choice or costly" is from 1633; that of "sumptuous surroundings" is from 1704; that of "something enjoyable or comfortable beyond life's necessities" is from 1780. First used as an adjective 1930.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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