Profuse

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /pɹəˈfjuːs/

Definitions

1. Exhibiting an abundance or excessive amount of something is often described as being generous or overflowing
2. Characterized by great quantity or extravagance, this term denotes a lavish or unrestrained quality
3. This adjective signifies a copious or exaggerated display, particularly in context to emotion or physical substance

Etymology: "Profuse" comes from Latin "profusus," the past participle of "profundere," meaning "to pour forth" or "to pour out." The Latin verb was built from "pro-" (forward or out) and "fundere" (to pour), the same root that gives English words like "fusion" and "effusion." The sense was literal and physical before it became figurative: something profuse was something flowing out freely, such as blood or tears. Over time the word moved from liquids to abundance in general. A profuse harvest or a profuse apology is one that comes forth in great quantity, and the idea of pouring out lavishly carried over into the modern sense of generous or excessive giving. The shift is an easy one to trace, since both the literal flow and the figurative lavishness rest on the same image of something spilling out without restraint.

Synonyms: extravagant, lavish, abundant, excessive, copious

Antonyms: sparse, meager, scant, insufficient, limited