Plethora
/ˈplɛθ.ə.rə/noun
An excess or overabundance of something.
Did you know?The word 'plethora' originally referred to an excess of bodily fluids, believed to cause illness, linking it to ancient medical practices and beliefs about balance and health.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
πληθώρα (plēthōra)
“Abundance, fullness, or excess.”
Late Latin
Latin
plethora
“An overflow or abundance, especially in a medical context.”
Middle English
Middle English
plethora
“An excess of bodily humors; often used in medical texts.”
Modern English
English
plethora
“A general term for an overabundance or excess of something, detached from its medical roots.”
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