Dictionary entry

Luxury

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Lux″u‐ry (?), n.; pl.Luxuries (#). [L. luxuria, fr. luxus: cf. F. luxure.] 1. A free indulgence in costly food, dress, furniture, or anything expensive which gratifies the appetites or tastes.

Riches expose a man to pride and luxury. Spectator.

2. Anything which pleases the senses, and is also costly, or difficult to obtain; an expensive rarity; as, silks, jewels, and rare fruits are luxuries; in some countries ice is a great luxury.

He cut the side of a rock for a garden, and, by laying on it earth, furnished out a kind of luxury for a hermit. Addison.

3. Lechery; lust. Shak.

Luxury is in wine and drunkenness. Chaucer.

4. Luxuriance; exuberance. Bacon.

Syn. — Voluptuousness; epicurism; effeminacy; sensuality; lasciviousness; dainty; delicacy; gratification.