Rich1, a.
a. [compar. RICHER; superl. RICHEST.] [A-S. ric, O. Sax. rīki, O. Fries. rīk, rīke, Goth. reiks, D. rijk, Icel. rík-r, Sw. rik, Dan. rig, O. H. Ger. richi, N. H. Ger. reich, Fr. riche, Pr. ric, Sp. & Pg. rico, It. ricco.]
Sense 1. Abounding in material possessions; possessed of an unusually large amount of property; well supplied with land, goods, or money; wealthy; opulent; not poor.
As a thief bent to unhoard the cash Of some rich burgher. Milton.
Sense 2. Hence, in general, well supplied; abounding; generous; as, a rich treasury; a rich entertainment; a pasture rich in flocks; a rich diet.
If life be short, it shall be glorious; Each minute shall be rich in some great action. Rowe.
Sense 3. Affording abundant supplies; productive or fertile; copious; fruitful; as, a mine rich in ore, or ore rich in silver; rich soil or land; a rich crop.
The gorgeous East, with richest hand, Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold. Milton.
Sense 4. Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress; a rich silk or fur; rich furniture; rich presents. “Like to rich and various gems.” Milton.
Sauces and rich spices are fetched from India. Baker.
Sense 5. Abounding in agreeable or nutritive qualities, especially as applied to articles of food, drink, &c., either highly seasoned or abounding in oleaginous ingredients, or sweet, luscious, and highly flavored; as, a rich dish; rich cream or soup; rich pastry; rich wine or fruit.
Sense 6. Not faint or delicate; vivid; bright; as, a rich color.
Sense 7. Full of sweet and harmonious sounds; as, a rich voice, or rich music.
Sense 8. Abounding in beauty; as, a rich landscape; rich scenery.
Sense 9. Abounding in humor; exciting amusement; entertaining; as, the scene was a rich one; a rich incident or character. [Colloq.] Thackeray.
Rich is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, rich-fleeced, rich-haired, rich-jeweled, rich-laden, rich-stained, rich-wrought.
The rich, used as a noun, a rich man or person; or more frequently, in the plural, rich men or persons.
The rich hath many friends. Prov. xiv. 20.
Synonyms— Wealthy; affluent; opulent; ample; copious; abundant; fruitful; costly; sumptuous; precious; generous; luscious.