Category:Rich

Rich, (rîch), a. [compar. Richer (superl. Richest.] Etym: [oe. Riche, as. rice rich, powerful; akin to os. riki, d. rijk, g. reich, Ohg. rihhi, icel. rikr, sw. rik, dan. rig, goth. reiks; from a word Meaning, ruler, king, probably borrowed from celtic, and akin to l. Rex, regis, king, regere to guide, rule. sq. root283. See right, and Cf. Derrick, enrich, rajah, riches, royal.]

1. Having an abundance of material possessions; possessed of a large Amount of property; well supplied with land, goods, or money; Wealthy; opulent; affluent; -- opposed to ant: poor. "rich Merchants." Chaucer. The rich [person] hath many friends. Prov. xiv. 20. As a thief, bent to unhoard the cash of some rich burgher. Milton.

2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; abundant; copious; Bountiful; as, a rich treasury; a rich entertainment; a rich crop. If life be short, it shall be glorious; each minute shall be rich in Some great action. Rowe. The gorgeous east with richest hand showers on her kings barbaric Pearl and gold. Milton.

3. Yielding large returns; productive or fertile; fruitful; as, rich Soil or land; a rich mine.

4. Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured At great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a Rich dress; rich silk or fur; rich presents. Like to rich and various gems. Milton.

5. Abounding in agreeable or nutritive qualities; -- especially Applied to articles of food or drink which are high-seasoned or Abound in oleaginous ingredients, or are sweet, luscious, and high- Flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry; rich wine Or fruit. Sauces and rich spices are fetched from india. Baker.

6. Not faint or delicate; vivid; as, a rich color.

7. Full of sweet and harmonius sounds; as, a rich voice; rich music.

8. Abounding in beauty; gorgeous; as, a rich landscape; rich scenery.

9. Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as, the Scene was a rich one; a rich incident or character. [colloq.] Thackeray.

Note: rich is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining Compounds; as, rich-fleeced, rich-jeweled, rich-laden, rich-stained.

Syn. -- wealthy; affluent; opulent; ample; copious; abundant; plentiful; Fruitful; costly; sumptuous; precious; generous; luscious.

Rich Rich, v. t.

Defn: to enrich. [obs.] Gower.