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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Rich \Rich\, (r[i^]ch), adjective [Compar. {Richer}; superl. {Richest}.] [OE. riche, AS. r[=i]ce rich, powerful; akin to OS. r[=i]ki, D. rijk, G. reich, OHG. r[=i]hhi, Icel. r[=i]kr, Sw. rik, Dan. rig, Goth. reiks; from a word meaning, ruler, king, probably borrowed from Celtic, and akin to L. rex, regis, king, regere to guide, rule. [root]283. See {Right}, and cf. {Derrick}, {Enrich}, {Rajah}, {Riches}, {Royal}.]
1. Having an abundance of material possessions; possessed of a large amount of property; well supplied with land, goods, or money; wealthy; opulent; affluent; -- opposed to {poor}. ''Rich merchants.'' --Chaucer.
The rich [person] hath many friends. --Prov. xiv. 20.
As a thief, bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher. --Milton.
2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; abundant; copious; bountiful; as, a rich treasury; a rich entertainment; a rich crop.
If life be short, it shall be glorious; Each minute shall be rich in some great action. --Rowe.
The gorgeous East with richest hand Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. --Milton.
3. Yielding large returns; productive or fertile; fruitful; as, rich soil or land; a rich mine.
4. Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress; rich silk or fur; rich presents.
Like to rich and various gems. --Milton.
5. Abounding in agreeable or nutritive qualities; -- especially applied to articles of food or drink which are high-seasoned or abound in oleaginous ingredients, or are sweet, luscious, and high-flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry; rich wine or fruit.
Sauces and rich spices are fetched from India. --Baker.
6. Not faint or delicate; vivid; as, a rich color.
7. Full of sweet and harmonius sounds; as, a rich voice; rich music.
8. Abounding in beauty; gorgeous; as, a rich landscape; rich scenery.
9. Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as, the scene was a rich one; a rich incident or character. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Note: Rich is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, rich-fleeced, rich-jeweled, rich-laden, rich-stained.
Syn: Wealthy; affluent; opulent; ample; copious; abundant; plentiful; fruitful; costly; sumptuous; precious; generous; luscious.
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