Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SUMP'TU-A-RY, a. [L. sumptuarius; from sumptus, expense; Fr. somptuaire.]

Relating to expense. Sumptuary laws or regulations are such as restrain or limit the expenses of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, &c. Sumptuary laws are abridgments of liberty, and of very difficult execution. They can be justified only on the ground of extreme necessity.