SuaviloquyToday’s word

dissipation

Dissipation, n.

Etymology: [L. dissipatio: cf. F. dissipation.]

1. The act of dissipating or dispersing; a state of dispersion or separation; dispersion; waste. Without loss or dissipation of the matter. Bacon. The famous dissipation of mankind. Sir M. Hale.

2. A dissolute course of life, in which health, money, etc., are squandered in pursuit of pleasure; profuseness in vicious indulgence, as late hours, riotous living, etc.; dissoluteness. To reclaim the spendthrift from his dissipation and extravagance. P. Henry.

3. A trifle which wastes time or distracts attention. Prevented from finishing them [the letters] a thousand avocations and dissipations. Swift. Dissipation of energy. Same as Degradation of energy, under Degradation.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for dissipation; he lists it under excess.

Where he writes about it:

Excess in the moral sense is expressed by dissipation, prodigality, intemperance, etc. — from excess

Synonyms

excessexorbitanceextravaganceintemperancelavishnessoverplusprodigalityprofusionredundanceredundancysuperabundancesuperfluitysurpluswastewastefulness

Antonyms

dearthdefectdeficiencydestitutioneconomyfailurefrugalityinadequacyinsufficiencylackneedpovertyscantinessshortcomingwant

etymologyWebster’s online