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sumptuary

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adjective sump·tu·ary \ ˈsəm(p)-chə-ˌwer-ē \

Definition of sumptuary

1 :relating to personal expenditures and especially to prevent extravagance and luxury
  • conservative sumptuary tastes
  • —John Cheever
2 :designed to regulate extravagant expenditures or habits especially on moral or religious grounds
  • sumptuary laws
  • sumptuary tax

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Recent Examples of sumptuary from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sumptuary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sumptuary

Latin sumptuarius, from sumptus expense, from sumere to take, spend — more at consume

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