Webster's English Dictionary

Enter the word to look up:

excess

1. ex.cess \ik-'ses, 'ek-.\ n [ME, fr. MF or LL; MF exces, fr. LL excessus, 
   fr. L, departure, pro]jection, fr. excessus, pp. of excedere to exceed 1a: 
   a state of surpassing limits : SUPERFLUITY  1b: something that exceeds what 
   is usual, proper, or specified  1c: the amount or degree by which one thing 
   or quantity exceeds another  2: undue or immoderate indulgence : 
   INTEMPERANCE 
2. excess aj : more than the usual, proper, or specified amount