plethora
plethora Lexical Profile
plethora Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large or excessive amount of something; a superabundance or profusion.
"The university library offers a plethora of digital resources for students conducting historical research."
A medical condition characterized by an excess volume of blood in the circulatory system or in a specific organ, causing swelling and a flushed complexion.
"The neonatal examination revealed mild plethora, prompting the physician to check the infant's hematocrit levels."
Word Nuance & Usage
Traditionally, 'plethora' implied an unhealthy or unwanted excess, though in modern usage it frequently means simply a large or generous amount without negative connotation.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Late Latin plethora, from Ancient Greek plēthōrē ('fullness'), derived from plēthein ('to be full'). It originally entered English as a medical term describing an excess of blood or bodily humors.