01 n. The state of surpassing or going beyond limits; the being of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that which exceeds what is u…
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1.
The state of surpassing or going beyond limits; the being of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that which exceeds what is usual or proper; immoderateness; superfluity; superabundance; extravagance; as, an excess of provisions or of light.“To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, . . . Is wasteful and ridiculous excess.” — Shak.“That kills me with excess of grief, this with excess of joy.” — Walsh.
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2.
An undue indulgence of the appetite; transgression of proper moderation in natural gratifications; intemperance; dissipation.“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.” — Eph. v. 18.“Thy desire . . . leads to no excess That reaches blame.” — Milton.
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3.
The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds another; remainder; as, the difference between two numbers is the excess of one over the other.
Phrases & compounds
Spherical excess —
the amount by which the sum of the three angles of a spherical triangle exceeds two right angles. The spherical excess is proportional to the area of the triangle.