From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Rich \Rich\, (r[i^]ch), a. [Compar. {Richer}; superl.
{Richest}.] [OE. riche, AS. r[imac]ce rich, powerful; akin to
OS. r[imac]ki, D. rijk, G. reich, OHG. r[imac]hhi, Icel.
r[imac]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.
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The rich [person] hath many friends. --Prov. xiv.
20.
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As a thief, bent to unhoard the cash
Of some rich burgher. --Milton.
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2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; abundant;
copious; bountiful; as, a rich treasury; a rich
entertainment; a rich crop.
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If life be short, it shall be glorious;
Each minute shall be rich in some great action.
--Rowe.
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The gorgeous East with richest hand
Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold.
--Milton.
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3. Yielding large returns; productive or fertile; fruitful;
as, rich soil or land; a rich mine.
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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.
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Like to rich and various gems. --Milton.
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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.
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Sauces and rich spices are fetched from India.
--Baker.
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6. Not faint or delicate; vivid; as, a rich color.
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7. Full of sweet and harmonius sounds; as, a rich voice; rich
music.
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8. Abounding in beauty; gorgeous; as, a rich landscape; rich
scenery.
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9. Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as,
the scene was a rich one; a rich incident or character.
[Colloq.] --Thackeray.
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Note: Rich is sometimes used in the formation of
self-explaining compounds; as, rich-fleeced,
rich-jeweled, rich-laden, rich-stained.
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Syn: Wealthy; affluent; opulent; ample; copious; abundant;
plentiful; fruitful; costly; sumptuous; precious;
generous; luscious.
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