Word of the Day

: August 21, 2007

plenitude

noun PLEN-uh-tood

What It Means

1 : the quality or state of being full : completeness

2 : a great sufficiency : abundance

plenitude in Context

The resort offers a plenitude of entertainment options for families traveling with children.

Did You Know?

"Plenitude" was first recorded in English during the 15th century and ultimately comes to us from "plenus," the Latin word for "full." "Plenus" has also given us "plenty," which in turn influenced a variation on "plenitude": "plentitude." Some usage commentators have objected to "plentitude," but it has been in use since the early 1600s and has appeared in the works of such writers as Henry James and Sir Walter Scott. Both words are used in the same sorts of contexts, but "plentitude" is not used as frequently as "plenitude."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.