superabundance

plural superabundances

1. uncountableusuallyAn extreme abundance; abundance to a vast degree that seems almost excessive.

   We have not merely an abundance, but a superabundance of enemies at this time; they will need to stand in line to disagree with us.

   5 more examples

   Perhaps very young girls, who do not know what to do with a superabundance of affection, run up a kind of romantic liking for each other; but it never lasts—one good-looking young man would break up all the female friendships that ever were formed.

   1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Much Change in a Little Time”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 74

   We behold the face of nature bright with gladness, we often see superabundance of food; we do not see, or we forget, that the birds which are idly singing round us mostly live on insects or seeds, and are thus constantly destroying life; or we forget how largely these songsters, or their eggs, or their nestlings, are destroyed by birds and beasts of prey; we do not always bear in mind, that though food may be now superabundant, it is not so at all seasons of each recurring year.

   1859, Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species

   My friends, do you realize the meaning of VITAL POWER? Have you ever experienced that superabundance of health which breeds an intense satisfaction with life and all living things?

   1904, Bernarr Macfadden, “Preface”, in Building of Vital Power: Deep Breathing and a Complete System for Strengthening the Heart, Lungs, Stomach and All the Great Vital Organs, New York City: Physical Culture Publishing Company, page 3

   Long silence not result of lack of interest. Lots of sickness, moving, superabundance of work, etc.

   1977 December 17, “F and S in New Hampshire (personal advertisement)”, in Gay Community News, volume 5, number 24, page 14

   After millenniums of austerity and poverty, the age of limitless “superabundance” was at hand.

   2025 March 18, Samuel Moyn, “Can Democrats Learn to Dream Big Again?”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 27 Mar 2025