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wealth

wealth [ welth ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. large amount of money: a large amount of money or possessions

2. state of having much money: the state of having plenty of money or possessions
came from a background of great wealth

3. abundance of something: an abundance or great quantity of something
quoted a wealth of statistics to prove the point

4. economics value of assets: the value of assets owned by a person or a community
need to determine the family's wealth

[13th century. <weal1]

Cultural Note

The Wealth of Nations, a philosophical treatise (1776) by Scottish economist and philosopher Adam Smith. One of the earliest and most comprehensive analyses of economic systems, it began as a study of the relationship between human nature and social evolution. Smith's assertion that the natural outcome of this evolution is an economy based on open markets and driven by competition inspired many modern-day laissez-faire capitalist philosophies.

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