rich
UK[rɪtʃ]US[rɪtʃ]
adj
having a lot of money or valuable possessions
adj
existing in large quantities or amounts; abundant
adj
(of food) containing a lot of fat, butter, eggs, etc. and making you feel full quickly
adj
(of a color, sound, smell, etc.) pleasantly deep, strong, or full
Etymology
the modern english adjective 'rich' originates from the old english word 'rīċe', which meant "powerful, wealthy". this old english term is itself derived from the proto-germanic 'rīkijaz', signifying "powerful, rich". this germanic root is a cognate of the latin word 'rex' (king) and the gaelic 'rí' (king), all tracing back to the proto-indo-european root 'reg-', meaning "to move in a straight line," hence "to lead, rule". the semantic evolution from "ruling, powerful" to "wealthy" is a common pattern, as power and material wealth were historically intertwined. over time, the meaning expanded beyond material wealth to describe abundance in qualities, flavors, and sensations.
Analysis
the word 'rich' is a simplex word derived from a single, indivisible old english root.
Examples
she comes from a very rich family.
the country is rich in natural resources.
avoid rich foods before going to bed.