excessive

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪkˈsɛsɪv/^[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English, borrowed from Middle French excessif (“excessive, oppressive”),^[2][3][4] from Medieval Latin excessivus,^[3][4] from Latin excess-, the past participle stem of excēdere (“to depart, go beyond”) (see exceed).^[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of persons or actions, transgressing the bounds of law or decency: 1393 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^[5][2]

Semantic evolution

Exceeding what is right or proportionate, immoderate, is from before 1420,^[5] and in a neutral or favourable sense, surpassing, from 1475.^[5] Of persons, given to excess, intemperate, is from 1586,^[5] and of expressions, hyperbolical, an obsolete sense of 1555.^[5] Of climates, marked by extremes, is from 1830.^[5]

Timeline

• 1393 – transgressing bounds.^[5]
• before 1420 – immoderate.^[5]
• 1475 – surpassing.^[5]
• 1586 – intemperate.^[5]
• 1830 – of climates.^[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Going beyond what is normal, reasonable or proper; immoderate.

Word family

• excessively
• excessiveness
• nonexcessive
• unexcessive

Related words

• exceed
• excess
• access
• proceed

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press