— ampleness , n.
/am"peuhl/ , adj., ampler, amplest .
1. fully sufficient or more than adequate for the purpose or needs; plentiful; enough: an ample supply of water; ample time to finish.
2. of sufficient or abundant measure; liberal; copious: an ample reward.
3. of adequate or more than adequate extent, size, or amount; large; spacious; roomy: ample storage space.
[ 1400-50; late ME amplus wide, large ]
Syn. 1. See plentiful. 2. generous, free, abounding, lavish, plenteous, overflowing. AMPLE, LIBERAL, COPIOUS, PROFUSE describe degrees of abundant provision. AMPLE implies a plentiful provision: to give ample praise. LIBERAL implies provision from a generous supply (more than AMPLE but less than COPIOUS): Liberal amounts of food were distributed to the needy. COPIOUS implies an apparently inexhaustible and lavish abundance: a copious flow of tears. PROFUSE implies a still more unrestrained abundance of provision or flow: profuse in his apologies. 3. extensive, vast, great, capacious.
Ant. 2. scanty, meager.