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a·bound

(ə-bound)

intr.v. a·bound·ed, a·bound·ing, a·bounds

1. To be great in number or amount: "In areas where scorpions abound, spider populations are generally kept in check" (Natalie Angier).

2. To have something in great numbers or amounts. Often used with in or with: "Neanderthal sites ... abound with artifacts, including scrapers, choppers, hand axes, and knives" (Philip and Carol Zaleski). See Synonyms at teem¹.

[Middle English abounden, from Old French abonder, from Latin abundāre, to overflow : ab-, away; see AB-¹ + undāre, to flow (from unda, wave; see wed-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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