Rich, (rĭch), a.
[Compar. Richer (?);
superl. Richest.] [OE. riche, AS.
rīce rich, powerful; akin to OS. rīki, D.
rijk, G. reich, OHG. rīhhi, Icel.
rīkr, 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. √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.
☞ 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.