overplus

English

Etymology

From over- + Anglo-Norman plus, Middle French plus.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈəʊvəplʌs/

Noun

overplus (countable and uncountable, plural overpluses or overplusses)

1. That which remains beyond what is necessary or required; a surplus.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:

     Where some for an over-plus, or supererogation have added this necessaity, that they must necessarily accompany them, as well in death, as in life.

   • 1609, William Shakespeare, “Sonnet 135”, in Shake-speares Sonnets. […], London: By G[eorge] Eld for T[homas] T[horpe] and are to be sold by William Aspley, →OCLC:

     Thou hast thy Will, And Will too boote, and Will in ouer-plus.

   • 1793, James Boswell, in Danziger & Brady (eds.), Boswell: The Great Biographer (Journals 1789–1795), Yale 1989, p. 262:

     I proposed that the two referees should retire and consider for themselves how much should be allowed for the boy's board and lodging, deducting at the rate of sixpence a day for what advantage was gained by his going on errands; and that the overplus should be restored.

Derived terms

• overplusage