excess

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   more than is needed, desired, or required

   trying to lose excess weight

2. 2
   noun

   The state of surpassing or going beyond a limit; the state of being beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; more than what is usual or proper.

   The excess of heavy water was given away to the neighbouring country.

3. 3
   noun

   The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds another; remainder.

   The difference between two numbers is the excess of one over the other.

4. 4
   noun

   An act of eating or drinking more than enough.

   And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.

5. 5
   verb

   To declare (an employee) surplus to requirements, such that he or she might not be given work.

   In 2006, I was excessed because my program had to make a few cuts and a new, inexperienced supervisor decided that he couldn’t handle a knowledgeable older teacher so he removed me.

6. 6
   noun

   excessive indulgence

7. 7
   noun

   immoderation as a consequence of going beyond sufficient or permitted limits

8. 8
   noun

   a quantity much larger than is needed

Etymology

From Middle English exces (“excess, ecstasy”), from Old French exces, from Latin excessus (“a going out, loss of self-possession”), from excedere, excessum (“to go out, go beyond”). See exceed.