sumptuous

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The Word of the Day for May 7 is: 

sumptuous   \SUMP-shuh-wus\   adjective
      : extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent

Example sentence: 
      "Austere on the outside, the Genoese palazzi's interiors are sumptuous 
and gilded, bursting with frescoes, mirrors, and tapestries...." (Gabriella de 
Ferrari, _Travel & Leisure_, September 1994)

Did you know?
      The word "sumptuous" can be used to describe both lush surroundings and 
rich desserts, and it has an equally rich history. The word, which appeared in 
English in the 15th century, derives via Middle English from the Latin noun 
"sumptus," meaning "expense." "Sumptus" is related to the Latin verb "sumere," 
which means "take" or "spend" and from which we get a treasure trove of useful 
verbs: "consume" ("to use up or spend"), "subsume" ("to include or place in 
something larger"), "resume" ("to take up again"), and "assume" ("to take upon 
oneself"). Another "sumere" descendant is our adjective "sumptuary," which 
means "relating to one's extravagant expenditures." 





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