\Ex*cess"\, n. [OE. exces, excess, ecstasy, L. excessus a
going out, loss of self-possession, fr. excedere, excessum,
to go out, go beyond: cf. F. exc[`e]s. See {Exceed}.]
1. The state of surpassing or going beyond limits; the being
   of a measure beyond sufficiency, necessity, or duty; that
   which exceeds what is usual or prover; immoderateness;
   superfluity; superabundance; extravagance; as, an excess
   of provisions or of light.
         To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, To throw a
         perfume on the violet, . . . Is wasteful and
         ridiculous excess.                    --Shak.
         That kills me with excess of grief, this with excess
         of joy.                               --Walsh.
2. An undue indulgence of the appetite; transgression of
   proper moderation in natural gratifications; intemperance;
   dissipation.
         Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess. --Eph. v.
                                               18.
         Thy desire . . . leads to no excess That reaches
         blame.                                --Milton.
3. The degree or amount by which one thing or number exceeds
   another; remainder; as, the difference between two numbers
   is the excess of one over the other.
{Spherical excess} (Geom.), the amount by which the sum of
   the three angles of a spherical triangle exceeds two right
   angles. The spherical excess is proportional to the area
   of the triangle.