surfeit Hear it!

surfeit Definition

sur·feit (sʉr′fit)

noun

  1. too great an amount or supply; excess (of) a surfeit of compliments
  2. overindulgence, esp. in food or drink
  3. discomfort, disgust, nausea, etc. resulting from any kind of excess; satiety

Etymology: ME surfet < OFr sorfait < sorfaire, to overdo < LL *superficere < L super (see super-) + facere, to make, do

transitive verb

to feed or supply to satiety or excess

Etymology: ME sorfeten

intransitive verb

Now Rare to indulge or be supplied to satiety or excess; overindulge

surfeit Related Forms
sur′·feiter noun
surfeit Synonyms

surfeit

n.

surplus, superfluity, profusion; see excess 1, remainder.

surfeit Synonyms

surfeit

v.

satiate, overindulge, gorge; see eat 1, fill 1, satisfy 3. See syn. study at satiate.

surfeit Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • information: Will " knowledge " or " wisdom " increase along with this surfeit of information?
  • choice: It's not as if we're suffering from surfeit of choice!
  • food: Problems arise because in our modern affluent society there is a surfeit of food.
  • lamprey: Why do they ALWAYS describe it as " a surfeit of lampreys " all posh and Olde English so nobody can understand?
  • idea: The book suffers a little, in its later stages, from a lack of simulations, coupled with a near surfeit of ideas.
  • emotion: A surfeit of emotion could bring out the compassionate in you.

Converse of object

  • have: As a result I have a surfeit of Beech and Sycamore logs.

Adjective modifier

  • vast: In other words, there is a huge shortage of money and a vast surfeit of debt!