a.; for forms cf. ABUNDANCE. [a. OFr. abundant, abondant, hab-:—L. abundant-em overflowing, pres. pple. of abundā-re, f. ab away from + undā-re to flow in waves, f. unda a wave. For initial h- see ABUNDANCE.]
1. Overflowing, more than sufficient; existing in great plenty, plentiful, ample; (properly of fluids, but transferred to other substances and to qualities).
c. 1450. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls Ser.), I. 367. The water was so habundante that hit pereschede þe woman with here childe.
1509. Fisher, Wks. (1876), 120. Where synne is haboundant charity waxeth colde.
1535. Coverdale, Dan. v. 11. Because that soch an abundaunt sprete, knowlege & wisdome was founde in him.
1611. Bible, 1 Tim. i. 14. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith, and loue.
1783. Cowper, Lett., Nov. 24, Wks. 1876, 148. A treatment which I had abundant reason to expect.
1874. Helps, Soc. Press., iii. 46. The larger the town the more abundant and varied is the noise in it.
2. Possessing in excess or superfluity; hence, having great plenty, wealthy, abounding. Const. in (of obs.)
1366. Maundev., (1839), xxi. 230. To defend the and thi contree that art so habundant of Tresore.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, XIII. 5205. The same yle I said you, Cicill is calt, Ay abundand of blisse. Ibid., V. 1695. All abundaunt in blisse.
c. 1450. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls Ser.), I. 108. Also that londe of Juda is … habundaunt in hony & mylke.
1526. Tindale, 2 Cor. xi. 23. They are the ministers of Christ … I am moare; in labours moare aboundant.
1611. Bible, Isa. lvi. 12. To morrow shal be as this day, and much more abundant.
1789–96. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 42. The river Motala … is very abundant in salmon.
c. 1854. Stanley, Sinai & Palest. (1858), vii. 313. The one river of Palestine … abundant in its waters.
3. quasi-adv.
a. 1725. Pope, Odyssey, XVI. 237. They wept abundant and they wept aloud.
