opulence (opulens)

[ There in full opulence a banker dwelt, Who all the joys and pangs of riches felt. Swift , Mr. Thomas Snow. Barbarous opulence , jewel-thick, Sunn'd itself on his breast and his hands. Tennyson, Maud, xiii. =Syn. Opulence , Wealth, Riches, Affluence. All these words imply not only the po e ion of much property, but the po e ion of it under such circumstances that it can be and is enjoyed. They seem contrasted not only with their opposites, but with the po e ion of a moderate amount. Opulence is a dignified and strong word for wealth. Wealth and riches may mean the property po e ed, and riches generally does mean it; the others do not. Affluence suggests the flow of wealth to one, and resulting free expenditure for objects of desire. There is little difference in the strength of the words. opulency (op'ū-len-si), n . [As opulence (see -cy).] Same as opulence . The infinite flatteries that follow youth and opulency. Shak., T. of A., v. 1. 38.