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

Examples:
  • After the feast, he experienced a surfeit of desserts.
  • She avoided a surfeit of alcohol by drinking water throughout the night.
Mnemonics:
  • 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

Examples:
  • The lavish buffet surfeited the guests with its vast array of dishes.
  • The king was surfeited with power, leading to his downfall.
Mnemonics:
  • Think of "overfilling a plate until it cannot fit any more" to understand the verb form.

Etymology:

Origin:

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:

Idiom:

"Surfeit of riches"

Explanation:

Refers to having an excessive amount of wealth or possessions.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

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.

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