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surplus

surplus

noun soor-PLOOS Rare

Origin: French sur- (over) + plus (more)

Also means

excess

Usage Note

Surplus is pronounced with the final 's' audible (soor-PLOOS), unlike the English borrowing. En surplus means in excess or left over. The term is used in economics (surplus budgétaire, budget surplus) and everyday contexts (un surplus de nourriture, leftover food). The plural is identical in spelling.

Examples

"Il y a un surplus de marchandises en entrepôt."

Natural Translation

There is a surplus of goods in the warehouse.

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