a) The state of surpassing or going beyond limits; the being of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that which exceeds what is usual or proper; immoderateness; superfluity; superabundance; extravagance; as, an excess of provisions or of light.
, To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a perfume on the violet, ... Is wasteful and ridiculous excess. - Shakespeare
b) The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds another; remainder; as, the difference between two numbers is the excess of one over the other.
, That kills me with excess of grief, this with excess of joy. - Walsh
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