Sufficient, a.
Etymology: [L. sufficiens, -entis, p.pr. of sufficere: cf. F. suffisant. See Suffice.]
1. Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as, provision sufficient for the family; an army sufficient to defend the country. My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor. xii. 9.
2. Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit. Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. ii. 16.
3. Capable of meeting obligations; responsible. The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond. Shak.
4. Self-sufficient; self-satisfied; content. [R.] Thou art the most sufficient (I'll say for thee), Not to believe a thing. Beau. & Fl.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Enough; adequate; competent; full; satisfactory; ample.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for sufficient; he lists it under adequate, plentiful.
Where he writes about it:
Adequate, commensurate, and sufficient signify equal to some given occasion or work; as, a sum sufficient to meet expenses; an adequate remedy for the disease. — from adequate
Sufficient, from the Latin, is an equivalent of the Saxon enough, with no perceptible difference of meaning, but only of usage, enough being the more blunt, homely, and forcible word, while sufficient is in many cases the more elegant or polite. — from plentiful
Sufficient usually precedes its noun; enough usually and preferably follows. — from plentiful