excessive
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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
- Going beyond what is normal, reasonable or proper; immoderate.
Word family
- excessively
- excessiveness
- nonexcessive
- unexcessive
Related words
References
- ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
- ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
- ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
- ^ a b c Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ^ 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