Loading..

Loading...

American Dictionary of the English Language

Dictionary Search

Sumptuary


SUMP'TUARY, adjective [Latin sumptuarius, from sumptus, expense.]

Relating to expense. sumptuary laws or regulations are such as restrain or limit the expenses of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, etc. sumptuary laws are abridgments of liberty, and of very difficult execution. They can be justified only on the ground of extreme necessity.