Suf*fi"cien*cy (?), n. [L. sufficientia: cf. F. suffisance. See Suffice.]

1.

The quality or state of being sufficient, or adequate to the end proposed; adequacy.

His sufficiency is such that he bestows and possesses, his plenty being unexhausted. Boyle.

2.

Qualification for any purpose; ability; capacity.

A substitute or most allowed sufficiency. Shak.

I am not so confident of my own sufficiency as not willingly to admit the counsel of others. Eikon Basilike.

3.

Adequate substance or means; competence.

"An elegant sufficiency."

Thomson.

4.

Supply equal to wants; ample stock or fund.

5.

Conceit; self-confidence; self-sufficiency.

Sufficiency is a compound of vanity and ignorance. Sir W. Temple.

 

© Webster 1913.

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.