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Webster 1913 Edition


Luxury

Lux′u-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Luxuries
(#)
.
[L.
luxuria
, fr.
luxus
: cf. F.
luxure
.]
1.
A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.
Riches expose a man to pride and
luxury
.
Spectator.
2.
Anything which pleases the senses, is not necessary for life, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity;
as, silks, jewels, and rare fruits are
luxuries
; in some countries ice is a great
luxury
.
Contrasted to
necessity
.
He cut the side of a rock for a garden, and, by laying on it earth, furnished out a kind of
luxury
for a hermit.
Addison.
3.
Lechery; lust.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Luxury
is in wine and drunkenness.
Chaucer.
Syn. – Voluptuousness; epicurism; effeminacy; sensuality; lasciviousness; dainty; delicacy; gratification.

Webster 1828 Edition


Luxury

LUX'URY

,
Noun.
[L. luxuria, from luxo, to loosen.]
1.
A free or extravagant indulgence in the pleasures of the table, as in rich and expensive diet, or delicious food and liquors; voluptuousness in the gratification of appetite; or the free indulgence in costly dress and equipage.
Riches expose a man to pride and luxury.
2.
That which gratifies a nice and fastidious appetite; a dainty; any delicious food or drink. The canvas-back duck is a luxury for an epicure.
3.
Any thing delightful to the senses.
He cut the side of a rock for a garden, and by laying on it earth, furnished a king of luxury for a hermit.
4.
Lust; lewd desire. [Not now used.]
5.
Luxuriance; exuberance of growth. [Not now used.]

Definition 2024


luxury

luxury

English

Noun

luxury (plural luxuries)

  1. Very wealthy and comfortable surroundings.
  2. Something desirable but expensive.
    • 1915, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price, chapterI:
      “[…] We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications, perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of amanuenses in this simple republic ? []
  3. Something very pleasant but not really needed in life.

Antonyms

Translations

Adjective

luxury (comparative more luxury, superlative most luxury)

  1. very expensive
  2. not essential but desirable and enjoyable and indulgent.

Translations

Related terms