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Plethora

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an excessive amount

Where does the word "plethora" come from? It comes from Greek plēthōrē, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
plēthōrē
Greek · ancient
"fullness"
Greek, from 'plēthein', to be full
2
Stage 2 of 2
plethora
English · 1540s
"excess of blood"
first a medical term for too much blood
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Plethora’s story begins in Greek: plēthōrē meant “fullness.” Greek, from 'plēthein', to be full. It reached English by 1540s as plethora. First a medical term for too much blood. Today, plethora means an excessive amount.