abundance

[ uh-buhn-duhns ]

noun

1. an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply:

   an abundance of grain.

   Synonyms: plenteousness, copiousness

   Antonyms: scarcity

2. overflowing fullness:

   abundance of the heart.

   Synonyms: generosity

3. affluence; wealth:

   the enjoyment of abundance.

4. Physics, Chemistry. the number of atoms of one isotope of an element divided by the total number of atoms in a mixture of the isotopes.

abundance

/ əˈbʌndəns /

noun

1. a copious supply; great amount
2. fullness or benevolence

   from the abundance of my heart

3. degree of plentifulness
4. chem the extent to which an element or ion occurs in the earth's crust or some other specified environment: often expressed in parts per million or as a percentage
5. physics the ratio of the number of atoms of a specific isotope in a mixture of isotopes of an element to the total number of atoms present: often expressed as a percentage

   the abundance of neon-22 in natural neon is 8.82 per cent

6. Also calledabondance a call in solo whist undertaking to make nine tricks
7. affluence

Other Words From

• pre·a·bun·dance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundance¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin abundantia. See abundant, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of abundance¹

C14: via Old French from Latin abundantia, from abundāre to abound

Synonym Study

See plenty.

Example Sentences

"The results were even more striking when we examined microbial activity, rather than just their abundance," explained Fatima Pereira, lead author of the study and former Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna.

From Science Daily

Or, perhaps, manatees were in abundance but there is a lack of bones at excavation sites because the mammals were not hunted.

From Science Daily

It also provided information about the relative abundance of every mRNA copy, which gives clues as to how much a gene is expressed in different tissues and times.

From Science Daily

"Out of an abundance of caution, the embassy will be closed, and embassy employees are being instructed to shelter in place," it said in a statement.

From BBC

"The earth's atmosphere contains an abundance of untapped fresh water, but we desperately need materials that can efficiently capture and collect this humidity and condense it into potable water," said Naumov.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• affluence
• bounty
• myriad
• plenty
• plethora
• profusion
• prosperity
• riches
• wealth