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excess

 - 6 dictionary results

ex⋅cess

[n. ik-ses, ek-ses; adj., v. ek-ses, ik-ses]
–noun
1. the fact of exceeding something else in amount or degree: His strength is in excess of yours.
2. the amount or degree by which one thing exceeds another: The bill showed an excess of several hundred dollars over the estimate.
3. an extreme or excessive amount or degree; superabundance: to have an excess of energy.
4. a going beyond what is regarded as customary or proper: to talk to excess.
5. immoderate indulgence; intemperance in eating, drinking, etc.
–adjective
6. more than or above what is necessary, usual, or specified; extra: a charge for excess baggage; excess profits.
–verb (used with object)
7. to dismiss, demote, transfer, or furlough (an employee), esp. as part of a mass layoff.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME (n. and adj.) < L excessus departure, digression, equiv. to exced-, var. s. of excēdere to exceed + -tus suffix of v. action


3. surplus.


3. lack, deficiency.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To excess
ex·cess   (ĭk-sěs', ěk'sěs')   
n.  
  1. The state of exceeding what is normal or sufficient: rains that filled the reservoirs to excess.

  2. An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; a surplus.

  3. The amount or degree by which one quantity exceeds another: Profit is the excess of sales over costs.

  4. Intemperance; overindulgence: drank to excess.

  5. A behavior or an action that exceeds proper or lawful bounds: tried to avoid engaging in emotional excesses such as hysteria and fits of temper.

adj.  Being more than is usual, required, or permitted: skimming off the excess fat. See Synonyms at superfluous.
tr.v.   ex·cessed, ex·cess·ing, ex·cess·es
To eliminate the job or position of.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin excessus, past participle of excēdere, to exceed; see exceed.]
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

excess 
1382, from L. excessus "departure, going beyond the bounds of reason or beyond the subject," from stem of excedere "to depart, go beyond" (see exceed).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·cess
Function: adjective
: more than a usual or specified amount; specifically : additional to an amount specified under another insurance policy <excess coverage> <excess insurance>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

excess ex·cess (ĭk-sěs', ěk'sěs')
n.
An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; a surplus.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

excess

see carry too far (to excess); in excess of.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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