Surfeit
Noun
Definition: An excessive amount of something, especially food or drink.
Definition: Overindulgence in eating or drinking.
Synonyms: Excess, Glut, Abundance
Antonyms: Deficiency, Scarcity, Lack
- After the feast, he experienced a surfeit of desserts.
- She avoided a surfeit of alcohol by drinking water throughout the night.
- Think of "satisfaction turned into discomfort" as a mnemonic for overindulging.
Verb
Definition: To cause someone to desire no more of something due to excessive indulgence; to satiate or overfeed.
Definition: To supply or give an excess of something.
Synonyms: Satisfy, Satiate, Gorge
Antonyms: Deprive, Starve, Withhold
- The lavish buffet surfeited the guests with its vast array of dishes.
- The king was surfeited with power, leading to his downfall.
- Think of "overfilling a plate until it cannot fit any more" to understand the verb form.
Etymology:
Middle English 'surfeten', from Old French 'surfait', past participle of 'sorfere' (excessive eating or drinking).
Historical Usage:The word 'surfeit' has been used in English since the 14th century, primarily to refer to excessive eating or drinking.
Related Idioms:
"Surfeit of riches"
Explanation:Refers to having an excessive amount of wealth or possessions.
Misconceptions:
Assuming 'surfeit' can only be used as a noun.
Explanation:'Surfeit' can be used as both a noun and a verb, with related but distinct meanings.