Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior: Relating to laws or rules that limit private spending, especially on luxury items, or that control personal conduct considered extravagant or morally questionable.

Usage

• The adjective "sumptuary" is used almost exclusively to describe laws, regulations, or rules. It is a formal term, typically found in historical, legal, or sociological contexts.
• It modifies nouns like "law," "legislation," "regulation," "code," "edict," or "ordinance."

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The ancient republic enacted sumptuary laws to prevent excessive displays of wealth.
  • Medieval sumptuary regulations dictated what colors and fabrics different social classes could wear.
  • The purpose of the sumptuary code was to maintain social hierarchy and moral order.

Advanced Usage

• "sumptuary tax": A tax intended to discourage consumption of certain goods deemed non-essential or harmful.
  • The government imposed a sumptuary tax on luxury vehicles.
• "sumptuary legislation": A formal term for a body of laws designed to regulate consumption and behavior.
  • Historians study sumptuary legislation to understand past social structures.

Variants and Related Words

• Sumptuously (adverb): In a lavish or luxurious manner. (Note: This is related in root but has a different meaning, describing luxury rather than its regulation).
  • The hall was decorated sumptuously for the banquet.
• Sumptuousness (noun): The quality of being luxurious or magnificent.
  • The sumptuousness of the feast was astonishing.

Synonyms

• Regulatory: Serving to regulate or control.
• Restrictive: Imposing restrictions or limitations.
• Proscriptive: Forbidding or condemning certain actions.

Antonyms

• Permissive: Allowing freedom of behavior, especially in social or moral contexts.
• Laissez-faire: A policy of non-interference, especially in economic affairs.

Adjective

1. regulating or controlling expenditure or personal behavior
   • sumptuary laws discouraging construction of large houses on small plots
   • sumptuary laws forbidding gambling