Sumptuary Definition
Contents
English
Etymology
Latin sumptuarius, from sumptus expense, cost, from sumere, sumptum, "to take", "use", "spend"; sub "under" + emere "to take", "buy": compare with French somptuaire
Adjective
sumptuary (comparative more sumptuary, superlative most sumptuary)
- Relating to expense; regulating expense or expenditure.
- Relating to a law; sumptuary laws or regulations, are those intended to restrain or limit the expenditure of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, etc.; laws which regulate the prices of commodities and the wages of labor; laws which forbid or restrict the use of certain articles, as of luxurious apparel.
Derived terms
- sumptuary law
- sumptuary tax
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