sumptuary

[ suhmp-choo-er-ee ]

adjective

pertaining to, dealing with, or regulating expense or expenditure.
intended to regulate personal habits on moral or religious grounds.

Origin of sumptuary

1590–1600; <Latin sūmptuārius, equivalent to sūmptu(s) spending, expense (sūm(ere) to take, procure (see consume) + intrusive -p- + -tus suffix of v. action) + -ārius-ary

Words that may be confused with sumptuary

sumptuary , sumptuous

Words Nearby sumptuary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sumptuary in a sentence

Naturally the sumptuary laws about the wearing of fur were perpetually infringed upon, to the great satisfaction of the furriers.
Catherine de' Medici | Honore de Balzac
The sumptuary law for burying the dead in woollen, still occupies its place in their statute book.
Domestic Animals | Richard L. Allen
Mr. Holmes justly remarks: "This sumptuary law, for the matter and style, is a curiosity."
The Loyalists of America and Their Times, Vol. 1 of 2 | Egerton Ryerson
It is with great pleasure that I see you mention sumptuary laws.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution, Vol. IV (of 12) | Various
Lastly, to put limits to extravagance, the sumptuary laws were promulgated.
History of Julius Caesar Vol. 1 of 2 | Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, 1808-1873.

British Dictionary definitions for sumptuary

sumptuary

/ (ˈsʌmptjʊərɪ) /

adjective

relating to or controlling expenditure or extravagance

Origin of sumptuary

C17: from Latin sumptuārius concerning expense, from sumptus expense, from sūmere to spend

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse