Chapter C: S. Sargent (5)

Fixed on the summit of the highest mount.

Shak.

2. The highest degree; the utmost elevation; the acme; as, the summit of human fame.

3. (Zoöl.) The most elevated part of a bivalve shell, or the part in which the hinge is situated.

Summit level, the highest level of a canal, a railroad, or the like, in surmounting an ascent.

Sum"mit*less, a. Having no summit.

Sum"mit*y (?), n. [L. summitas, fr. summus highest: cf. F. sommité. See Sum, n.] 1. The height or top of anything. [Obs.] Swift.

2. The utmost degree; perfection. [Obs.] Hallywell.

Sum"mon (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Summoned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Summoning.] [OE. somonen, OF. sumundre, semondre, F. semondre, from (assumed) LL. summonre, for L. summonre to give a hint; sub under + monere to admonish, to warn. See Monition, and cf. Submonish.] 1. To call, bid, or cite; to notify to come to appear; -- often with up.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.

Shak.

Trumpets summon him to war.

Dryden.

2. To give notice to, or command to appear, as in court; to cite by authority; as, to summon witnesses.

3. (Mil.) To call upon to surrender, as a fort.

Syn. -- To call; cite; notify; convene; convoke; excite; invite; bid. See Call.

Sum"mon*er (?), n. [OE. somner, sompnour, OF. semoneor, F. semonneur. See Summon, v. t.] One who summons; one who cites by authority; specifically, a petty officer formerly employed to summon persons to appear in court; an apparitor.

Sum"mons (?), n.; pl. Summonses (#). [OE. somouns, OF. sumunse, semonse, semonce, F. semonce, semondre to summon, OF. p. p. semons. See Summon, v.] 1. The act of summoning; a call by authority, or by the command of a superior, to appear at a place named, or to attend to some duty.

Special summonses by the king.

Hallam.

This summons . . . unfit either to dispute or disobey.

Bp. Fell.

He sent to summon the seditious, and to offer pardon; but neither
summons nor pardon was regarded.

Sir J. Hayward.

2. (Law) A warning or citation to appear in court; a written notification signed by the proper officer, to be served on a person, warning him to appear in court at a day specified, to answer to the plaintiff, testify as a witness, or the like.

3. (Mil.) A demand to surrender.

Sum"mons, v. t. To summon. [R. or Colloq.] Swift.

Sum"ner (?), n. A summoner. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

Su*moom" (?), n. See Simoom.

Sump (?), n. [Cf. G. sumpf a sump in a mine, a swamp, akin to LG. sump, D. somp a swamp, Dan. & Sw. sump, and perhaps to E. swamp.] 1. (Metal.) A round pit of stone, lined with clay, for receiving the metal on its first fusion. Ray.

2. The cistern or reservoir made at the lowest point of a mine, from which is pumped the water which accumulates there.

3. A pond of water for salt works. Knight.

4. A puddle or dirty pool. [Prov. Eng.]

Sump fuse, a fuse used in blasting under water. -- Sump men (Mining), the men who sink the sump in a mine.

Sumph (?), n. A dunce; a blockhead. [Scot.]

Sum"pi*tan (?), n. A kind of blowgun for discharging arrows, -- used by the savages of Borneo and adjacent islands.

Sump"ter (?), n. [OF. sommetier the driver of a pack horse; akin to OF. & F. sommier a pack horse, L. sagmarius, fr. sagma a pack saddle, in LL., a load, Gr. &?; a pack saddle, fr. &?; to pack, load; cf. Skr. saj, sañj, to hang on. Cf. Seam a weight, Summer a beam.] 1. The driver of a pack horse. [Obs.] Skeat.

2. A pack; a burden. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl.

3. An animal, especially a horse, that carries packs or burdens; a baggage horse. Holinshed.

Sump"ter, a. Carrying pack or burdens on the back; as, a sumpter horse; a sumpter mule. Bacon.

Sump"tion (?), n. [L. sumptio, fr. sumere, sumptum, to take.] 1. A taking. [Obs.] Jer. Taylor.

2. (Logic) The major premise of a syllogism.

Sump"tu*a*ry (?), a. [L. sumptuarius, fr. sumptus expense, cost, fr. sumere, sumptum, to take, use, spend; sub under + emere to take, buy: cf. F. somptuaire. See Redeem.] Relating to expense; regulating expense or expenditure. Bacon.

Sumptuary laws or regulations, laws intended to restrain or limit the expenditure of citizens in apparel, food, furniture, etc.; laws which regulate the prices of commodities and the wages of labor; laws which forbid or restrict the use of certain articles, as of luxurious apparel.

Sump`tu*os"i*ty (?), n. [L. sumptuositas: cf. F. somptuosité.] Expensiveness; costliness; sumptuousness. [R.] Sir W. Raleigh.

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Sump"tu*ous (?), a. [L. sumptuosus, fr. sumptus expanse, cost: cf. F. somptueux. See Sumptuary.] Involving large outlay or expense; costly; expensive; hence, luxurious; splendid; magnificient; as, a sumptuous house or table; sumptuous apparel.

We are too magnificient and sumptuous in our tables and attendance.

Atterbury.

She spoke, and turned her sumptuous head, with eyes Of shining
expectation fixed on mine.

Tennyson.

-- Sump"tu*ous*ly, adv. -- Sump"tu*ous*ness, n.

Sun (?), n. (Bot.) See Sunn.

Sun (?), n. [OE. sunne, sonne, AS. sunne; akin to OFries. sunne, D. zon, OS. & OHG. sunna, G. sonne, Icel. sunna, Goth. sunna; perh. fr. same root as L. sol. &radic;297. Cf. Solar, South.] 1. The luminous orb, the light of which constitutes day, and its absence night; the central body round which the earth and planets revolve, by which they are held in their orbits, and from which they receive light and heat. Its mean distance from the earth is about 92,500,000 miles, and its diameter about 860,000.

Its mean apparent diameter as seen from the earth is 32&prime; 4&Prime;, and it revolves on its own axis once in 25 days. Its mean density is about one fourth of that of the earth, or 1.41, that of water being unity. Its luminous surface is called the photosphere, above which is an envelope consisting partly of hydrogen, called the chromosphere, which can be seen only through the spectroscope, or at the time of a total solar eclipse. Above the chromosphere, and sometimes extending out millions of miles, are luminous rays or streams of light which are visible only at the time of a total eclipse, forming the solar corona.

2. Any heavenly body which forms the center of a system of orbs.

3. The direct light or warmth of the sun; sunshine.

Lambs that did frisk in the sun.

Shak.

4. That which resembles the sun, as in splendor or importance; any source of light, warmth, or animation.

For the Lord God is a sun and shield.

Ps. lxxiv. 11.

I will never consent to put out the sun of sovereignity to
posterity.

Eikon Basilike.

Sun and planet wheels (Mach.), an ingenious contrivance for converting reciprocating motion, as that of the working beam of a steam engine, into rotatory motion. It consists of a toothed wheel (called the sun wheel), firmly secured to the shaft it is desired to drive, and another wheel (called the planet wheel) secured to the end of a connecting rod. By the motion of the connecting rod, the planet wheel is made to circulate round the central wheel on the shaft, communicating to this latter a velocity of revolution the double of its own. G. Francis. -- Sun angel (Zoöl.), a South American humming bird of the genus Heliangelos, noted for its beautiful colors and the brilliant luster of the feathers of its throat. -- Sun animalcute. (Zoöl.) See Heliozoa. -- Sun bath (Med.), exposure of a patient to the sun's rays; insolation. -- Sun bear (Zoöl.), a species of bear (Helarctos Malayanus) native of Southern Asia and Borneo. It has a small head and short neck, and fine short glossy fur, mostly black, but brownish on the nose. It is easily tamed. Called also bruang, and Malayan bear. -- Sun beetle (Zoöl.), any small lustrous beetle of the genus Amara. -- Sun bittern (Zoöl.), a singular South American bird (Eurypyga helias), in some respects related both to the rails and herons. It is beautifully variegated with white, brown, and black. Called also sunbird, and tiger bittern. -- Sun fever (Med.), the condition of fever produced by sun stroke. -- Sun gem (Zoöl.), a Brazilian humming bird (Heliactin cornutus). Its head is ornamented by two tufts of bright colored feathers, fiery crimson at the base and greenish yellow at the tip. Called also Horned hummer. -- Sun grebe (Zoöl.), the finfoot. -- Sun picture, a picture taken by the agency of the sun's rays; a photograph. -- Sun spots (Astron.), dark spots that appear on the sun's disk, consisting commonly of a black central portion with a surrounding border of lighter shade, and usually seen only by the telescope, but sometimes by the naked eye. They are very changeable in their figure and dimensions, and vary in size from mere apparent points to spaces of 50,000 miles in diameter. The term sun spots is often used to include bright spaces (called faculæ) as well as dark spaces (called maculæ). Called also solar spots. See Illustration in Appendix. -- Sun star (Zoöl.), any one of several species of starfishes belonging to Solaster, Crossaster, and allied genera, having numerous rays. -- Sun trout (Zoöl.), the squeteague. -- Sun wheel. (Mach.) See Sun and planet wheels, above. -- Under the sun, in the world; on earth. "There is no new thing under the sun." Eccl. i. 9.

Sun is often used in the formation of compound adjectives of obvious meaning; as, sun-bright, sun- dried, sun-gilt, sunlike, sun-lit, sun- scorched, and the like.

Sun, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sunned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sunning.] To expose to the sun's rays; to warm or dry in the sun; as, to sun cloth; to sun grain.

Then to sun thyself in open air.

Dryden.

Sun"beam` (?), n. [AS. sunnebeam.] A beam or ray of the sun. "Evening sunbeams." Keble.

Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even On a sunbeam.

Milton.

Sun"bird` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) Any one of numerous species of small brilliantly colored birds of the family Nectariniidæ, native of Africa, Southern Asia, the East Indies, and Australia. In external appearance and habits they somewhat resemble humming birds, but they are true singing birds (Oscines). (b) The sun bittern.

Sun"blink` (?), n. A glimpse or flash of the sun. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.

Sun"bon"net (?), n. A bonnet, generally made of some thin or light fabric, projecting beyond the face, and commonly having a cape, -- worn by women as a protection against the sun.

Sun"bow` (?), n. A rainbow; an iris. Byron.

Sun"burn` (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sunburned (?) or Sunburnt (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Sunburning.] To burn or discolor by the sun; to tan.

Sunburnt and swarthy though she be.

Dryden.

Sun"burn`, n. The burning or discoloration produced on the skin by the heat of the sun; tan.

Sun"-burn`er (?), n. A circle or cluster of gas-burners for lighting and ventilating public buildings.

Sun"burn`ing, n. Sunburn; tan. Boyle.

Sun"burst` (?), n. A burst of sunlight.

Sun"dart` (?), n. Sunbeam. [R.] Mrs. Hemans.

Sun"day (?), n. [AS. sunnandæg; sunne, gen. sunnan, the sun + dæg day; akin to D. zondag, G. sonntag; -- so called because this day was anciently dedicated to the sun, or to its worship. See Sun, and Day.] The first day of the week, -- consecrated among Christians to rest from secular employments, and to religious worship; the Christian Sabbath; the Lord's Day.

Advent Sunday, Low Sunday, Passion Sunday, etc. See under Advent, Low, etc.

Syn. -- See Sabbath.

Sun"day, a. Belonging to the Christian Sabbath.

Sunday letter. See Dominical letter, under Dominical. -- Sunday school. See under School.

Sun"der (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Sundered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Sundering.] [OE. sundren, AS. sundrain (in sundrain, gesundrain), from sundor asunder, separately, apart; akin to D. zonder, prep., without, G. sonder separate, as prep., without, sondern but, OHG. suntar separately, Icel. sundr asunder, Sw. & Dan. sönder, Goth. sundr alone, separately.] To disunite in almost any manner, either by rending, cutting, or breaking; to part; to put or keep apart; to separate; to divide; to sever; as, to sunder a rope; to sunder a limb; to sunder friends.

It is sundered from the main land by a sandy plain.

Carew.

Sun"der, v. i. To part; to separate. [R.] Shak.

Sun"der, n. [See Sunder, v. t., and cf. Asunder.] A separation into parts; a division or severance.

In sunder, into parts. "He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder." Ps. xlvi. 9.

Sun"der, v. t. To expose to the sun and wind. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

Sun"dew` (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Drosera, low bog plants whose leaves are beset with pediceled glands which secrete a viscid fluid that glitters like dewdrops and attracts and detains insects. After an insect is caught, the glands curve inward like tentacles and the leaf digests it. Called also lustwort.

Sun"di`al (?), n. An instrument to show the time of day by means of the shadow of a gnomon, or style, on a plate.

Sundial shell (Zoöl.), any shell of the genus Solarium. See Solarium.

Sun"dog` (?), n. (Meteorol.) A luminous spot occasionally seen a few degrees from the sun, supposed to be formed by the intersection of two or more halos, or in a manner similar to that of halos.

Sun"down` (?), n. 1. The setting of the sun; sunset. "When sundown skirts the moor." Tennyson.

2. A kind of broad-brimmed sun hat worn by women.

Sun"-dried` (?), a. Dried by the heat of the sun. "Sun-dried brick." Sir T. Herbert.

Sun"dries (?), n. pl. Many different or small things; sundry things.

Sun"dri*ly (?), adv. In sundry ways; variously.

Sun"dry (?), a. [OE. sundry, sondry, AS. syndrig, fr. sundor asunder. See Sunder, v. t.] 1. Several; divers; more than one or two; various. "Sundry wines." Chaucer. "Sundry weighty reasons." Shak.

With many a sound of sundry melody.

Chaucer.

Sundry foes the rural realm surround.

Dryden.

2. Separate; diverse. [Obs.]

Every church almost had the Bible of a sundry translation.

Coleridge.

All and sundry, all collectively, and each separately.

Sun"dry*man (?), n.; pl. Sundrymen (&?;). One who deals in sundries, or a variety of articles.

Sun"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) A very large oceanic plectognath fish (Mola mola, Mola rotunda, or Orthagoriscus mola) having a broad body and a truncated tail. (b) Any one of numerous species of perch-like North American fresh- water fishes of the family Centrachidæ. They have a broad, compressed body, and strong dorsal spines. Among the common species of the Eastern United States are Lepomis gibbosus (called also bream, pondfish, pumpkin seed, and sunny), the blue sunfish, or dollardee (L. pallidus), and the long-eared sunfish (L. auritus). Several of the species are called also pondfish. (c) The moonfish, or bluntnosed shiner. (d) The opah. (e) The basking, or liver, shark. (f) Any large jellyfish.

Sun"flow`er (?), n. Any plant of the genus Helianthus; -- so called probably from the form and color of its flower, which is large disk with yellow rays. The commonly cultivated sunflower is Helianthus annuus, a native of America.

Sung (?), imp. & p. p. of Sing.

Sun"glass` (?), n.; pl. Sunglasses (&?;). A convex lens of glass for producing heat by converging the sun's rays into a focus. "Lighting a cigar with a sunglass." Hawthorne.

Sun"glow` (?), n. A rosy flush in the sky seen after sunset.

Sunk (?), imp. & p. p. of Sink.

Sunk fence, a ditch with a retaining wall, used to divide lands without defacing a landscape; a ha-ha.

Sunk"en (?), a. Lying on the bottom of a river or other water; sunk.

Sun"less (?), a. Destitute or deprived of the sun or its rays; shaded; shadowed.

The sunken glen whose sunless shrubs must weep.

Byron.

Sun"light` (?), n. The light of the sun. Milton.

Sun"like` (?), a. Like or resembling the sun. "A spot of sunlike brilliancy." Tyndall.

Sun"lit` (?), a. Lighted by the sun.

Sunn (?), n. [Hind. san, fr. Skr. çana.] (Bot.) An East Indian leguminous plant (Crotalaria juncea) and its fiber, which is also called sunn hemp. [Written also sun.]

||Sun"na (?), n. [Ar. sunnah rule, law.] A collection of traditions ||received by the orthodox Mohammedans as of equal authority with the ||Koran.

Sun"ni*ah (?), n. One of the sect of Sunnites.

Sun"ni*ness (?), n. The quality or state of being sunny.

Sun"nite (?), n. One of the orthodox Mohammedans who receive the Sunna as of equal importance with the Koran.

Sun"nud (?), n. [Hind., fr. Ar. sanad.] A charter or warrant; also, a deed of gift. [India]

Sun"ny (?), a. [Compar. Sunnier (?); superl. Sunniest.] 1. Of or pertaining to the sun; proceeding from, or resembling the sun; hence, shining; bright; brilliant; radiant. "Sunny beams." Spenser. "Sunny locks." Shak.

2. Exposed to the rays of the sun; brightened or warmed by the direct rays of the sun; as, a sunny room; the sunny side of a hill.

Her blooming mountains and her sunny shores.

Addison.

3. Cheerful; genial; as, a sunny disposition.

My decayed fair A sunny look of his would soon repair.

Shak.

Sun"ny, n. (Zoöl.) See Sunfish (b).

Sun"proof` (?), a. Impervious to the rays of the sun. "Darksome yew, sunproof." Marston.

{ Sun"rise` (?), Sun"ris`ing, } n. 1. The first appearance of the sun above the horizon in the morning; more generally, the time of such appearance, whether in fair or cloudy weather; as, to begin work at sunrise. "The tide of sunrise swells." Keble.

2. Hence, the region where the sun rises; the east.

Which were beyond Jordan toward the sunrising.

Deut. iv. 47 (Rev. Ver.)

Full hot and fast the Saxon rides, with rein of travel slack, And,
bending o'ev his saddle, leaves the sunrise at his back.

Whittier.

{ Sun"set" (?), Sun"set`ting, } n. 1. The descent of the sun below the horizon; also, the time when the sun sets; evening. Also used figuratively.

'T is the sunset of life gives me mystical lore.

Campbell.

2. Hence, the region where the sun sets; the west.

Sunset shell (Zoöl.), a West Indian marine bivalve (Tellina radiata) having a smooth shell marked with radiating bands of varied colors resembling those seen at sunset or before sunrise; -- called also rising sun.

Sun"shade` (?), n. Anything used as a protection from the sun's rays. Specifically: (a) A small parasol. (b) An awning.

Sun"shine` (?), n. 1. The light of the sun, or the place where it shines; the direct rays of the sun, the place where they fall, or the warmth and light which they give.

But all sunshine, as when his beams at noon Culminate from the
equator.

Milton.

2. Anything which has a warming and cheering influence like that of the rays of the sun; warmth; illumination; brightness.

That man that sits within a monarch's heart, And ripens in the
sunshine of his favor.

Shak.

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Sun"shine` (?), a. Sunshiny; bright. Shak. "Sunshine hours." Keble.

Sun"shin`y (?), a. 1. Bright with the rays of the sun; clear, warm, or pleasant; as, a sunshiny day.

2. Bright like the sun; resplendent.

Flashing beams of that sunshiny shield.

Spenser.

3. Beaming with good spirits; cheerful. "Her sunshiny face." Spenser.

Sun"squall` (?), n. (Zoöl.) Any large jellyfish.

Sun" star` (?). (Zoöl.) See Sun star, under Sun.

Sun"sted (?), n. [Sun + stead a place.] Solstice. [Obs.] "The summer sunsted." Holland.

Sun"stone` (?), n. (Med.) Aventurine feldspar. See under Aventurine.

Sun"stroke` (?), n. (Med.) Any affection produced by the action of the sun on some part of the body; especially, a sudden prostration of the physical powers, with symptoms resembling those of apoplexy, occasioned by exposure to excessive heat, and often terminating fatally; coup de soleil.

Sun"-struck` (?), a. (Med.) Overcome by, or affected with, sunstroke; as, sun-struck soldiers.

Sun"up` (?), n. Sunrise. [Local, U.S.]

Such a horse as that might get over a good deal of ground atwixt
sunup and sundown.

Cooper.

Sun"ward (?), adv. Toward the sun.

Sun"wise` (?), adv. In the direction of the sun's apparent motion, or from the east southward and westward, and so around the circle; also, in the same direction as the movement of the hands of a watch lying face upward.

Sup (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supping.] [OE. soupen to drink, AS. s&?;pan; akin to D. zuipen, G. saufen, OHG. s&?;fan, Icel. s&?;pa, Sw. supa, Dan. söbe. Cf. Sip, Sop, Soup, Supper.] To take into the mouth with the lips, as a liquid; to take or drink by a little at a time; to sip.

There I'll sup Balm and nectar in my cup.

Crashaw.

Sup, n. A small mouthful, as of liquor or broth; a little taken with the lips; a sip.

Tom Thumb had got a little sup.

Drayton.

Sup, v. i. [See Supper.] To eat the evening meal; to take supper.

I do entreat that we may sup together.

&?;

Sup, v. t. To treat with supper. [Obs.]

Sup them well and look unto them all.

Shak.

Su*pawn" (?), n. [Of American Indian origin.] Boiled Indian meal; hasty pudding; mush. [Written also sepawn, sepon, and suppawn.] [Local, U.S.]

Supe (?), n. A super. [Theatrical Cant]

Su"per- (?). [L. super over, above; akin to Gr. &?;, L. sub under, and E. over. See Over, and cf. Hyper-, Sub-, Supra-, Sur-.] 1. A prefix signifying above, over, beyond, and hence often denoting in a superior position, in excess, over and above, in addition, exceedingly; as in superimpose, supersede, supernatural, superabundance.

2. (Chem.) A prefix formerly much used to denote that the ingredient to the name of which it was prefixed was present in a large, or unusually large, proportion as compared with the other ingredients; as in calcium superphosphate. It has been superseded by per-, bi- , di-, acid, etc. (as peroxide, bicarbonate, disulphide, and acid sulphate), which retain the old meanings of super-, but with sharper definition. Cf. Acid, a., Bi-, Di- , and Per-.

Su"per, n. A contraction of Supernumerary, in sense 2. [Theatrical Cant]

Su"per*a*ble (?), a. [L. superabilis, from superare to go over, to surmount, fr. super above, over.] Capable of being overcome or conquered; surmountable.

Antipathies are generally superable by a single effort.

Johnson.

-- Su"per*a*ble*ness, n. -- Su"per*a*bly, adv.

Su`per*a*bound" (?), v. i. [L. superabundare: cf. OF. superabonder. See Super-, and Abound.] To be very abundant or exuberant; to be more than sufficient; as, the country superabounds with corn.

Su`per*a*bun"dance (?), n. [L. superabundantia: cf. OF. superabondance.] The quality or state of being superabundant; a superabundant quantity; redundancy; excess.

Su`per*a*bun"dant (?), a. [L. superabundans, p. pr. of superabundare. See Superabound.] Abounding to excess; being more than is sufficient; redundant; as, superabundant zeal. -- Su`per*a*bun"dant*ly, adv.

Su`per*a*cid"u*la`ted (?), a. Acidulated to excess. [R.]

Su`per*add" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superadded; p. pr. & vb. n. Superadding.] [L. superaddere. See Super-, and Add.] To add over and above; to add to what has been added; to annex, as something extrinsic.

The strength of any living creature, in those external motion, is
something distinct from, and superadded unto, its natural gravity.

Bp. Wilkins.

The peacock laid it extremely to heart that he had not the
nightingale's voice superadded to the beauty of his plumes.

L'Estrange.

Su`per*ad*di"tion (?), n. The act of adding something in excess or something extraneous; also, something which is added in excess or extraneously.

This superaddition is nothing but fat.

Arbuthnot.

Su`per*ad*ven"ient (?), a. Coming upon; coming in addition to, or in assistance of, something. [R.]

He has done bravely by the superadvenient assistance of his God.

Dr. H. More.

Su`per*al`i*men*ta"tion (?), n. The act of overfeeding, or making one take food in excess of the natural appetite for it.

Su"per*al`tar (?), n. (Arch.) A raised shelf or stand on the back of an altar, on which different objects can be placed; a predella or gradino.

Su`per*an*gel"ic (?), a. Superior to the angels in nature or rank. [R.] Milman.

Su`per*an"nu*ate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superannuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superannuating.] [Pref. super- + L. annus a year.] 1. To impair or disquality on account of age or infirmity. Sir T. Browne.

2. To give a pension to, on account of old age or other infirmity; to cause to retire from service on a pension.

Su`per*an"nu*ate (?), v. i. To last beyond the year; -- said of annual plants. [Obs.] Bacon.

Su`per*an`nu*a"tion (?), n. The state of being superannuated, or too old for office or business; the state of being disqualified by old age; decrepitude.

The world itself is in a state of superannuation.

Cowper.

Slyness blinking through the watery eye of superannuation.

Coleridge.

Su*perb" (?), a. [F. superbe, L. superbus, fr. super over. See Super-.] 1. Grand; magnificent; august; stately; as, a superb edifice; a superb colonnade.

2. Rich; elegant; as, superb furniture or decorations.

3. Showy; excellent; grand; as, a superb exhibition.

Superb paradise bird (Zoöl.), a bird of paradise (Paradisæa, or Lophorina, superba) having the scapulars erectile, and forming a large ornamental tuft on each shoulder, and a large gorget of brilliant feathers on the breast. The color is deep violet, or nearly black, with brilliant green reflections. The gorget is bright metallic green. -- Superb warber. (Zoöl.) See Blue wren, under Wren.

-- Su*perb"ly, adv. -- Su*perb"ness, n.

Su*per"bi*ate (?), v. t. [Cf. L. superbiare.] To make (a person) haughty. [Obs. & R.] Feltham.

Su`per*car"bon*ate (?), n. (Chem.) A bicarbonate. [Obsoles.]

Su`per*car"bu*ret`ed (?), a. (Chem.) Bicarbureted. [Written also supercarburetted.] [Obsoles.]

Su`per*car"go (?), n. [Super- + cargo: cf. Sp. sobrecargo. Cf. Surcharge.] An officer or person in a merchant ship, whose duty is to manage the sales, and superintend the commercial concerns, of the voyage.

Su`per*car"pal (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or in the upper part of, the carpus.

Su`per*ce*les"tial (?), a. [Pref. super- + celestial: cf. L. supercaelestis.] 1. Situated above the firmament, or great vault of heaven. Waterland.

2. Higher than celestial; superangelic.

Su`per*charge" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supercharged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supercharging (?).] [Pref. super- + charge. Cf. Surcharge.] (Her.) To charge (a bearing) upon another bearing; as, to supercharge a rose upon a fess.

Su`per*charge" (?), n. (Her.) A bearing charged upon another bearing. [R.]

Su`per*chem"ic*al (?), a. Above or beyond chemistry; inexplicable by chemical laws. J. Le Conte.

Su*perch"er*y (?), n. [F. supercherie.] Deceit; fraud; imposition. [Obs. & R.]

Su`per*cil"i*a*ry (?), a. [L. supercilium an eyebrow. See Supercilious.] 1. Of or pertaining to the eyebrows; supraorbital.

2. (Zoöl.) Having a distinct streak of color above the eyes; as, the superciliary woodpecker.

Su`per*cil"i*ous (?), a. [L. superciliosus, fr. supercilium an eyebrow, pride; super over, + cilium an eyelid; probably akin to celare to conceal. Cf. Conceal.] Lofty with pride; haughty; dictatorial; overbearing; arrogant; as, a supercilious officer; asupercilious air; supercilious behavior. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ly, adv. -- Su`per*cil"i*ous*ness, n.

||Su`per*cil"i*um (?), n. [L.] (Zoöl.) The eyebrow, or the region of ||the eyebrows.

Su`per*co*lum`ni*a"tion (?), n. (Arch.) The putting of one order above another; also, an architectural work produced by this method; as, the putting of the Doric order in the ground story, Ionic above it, and Corinthian or Composite above this.

Su`per*con*cep"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) Superfetation. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*con"se*quence (?), n. Remote consequence. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*cres"cence (?), n. [See Supercrescent.] That which grows upon another growing thing; a parasite. [R.] Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*cres"cent (?), a. [L. supercrescens, p. pr. of supercrescere; super above + crescere to grow.] Growing on some other growing thing. [R.] Johnson.

Su`per*cre*ta"ceous (?), a. (Geol.) Same as Supracretaceous.

Su`per*cu"ri*ous (?), a. Excessively curious or inquisitive. Evelyn.

Su`per*dom"i*nant (?), n. (Mus.) The sixth tone of the scale; that next above the dominant; -- called also submediant.

{ Su`per*em"i*nence (?), Su`per*em"i*nen*cy (?), } n. [L. supereminentia.] The quality or state of being supereminent; distinguished eminence; as, the supereminence of Cicero as an orator, or Lord Chatham as a statesman. Ayliffe.

He was not forever beset with the consciousness of his own
supereminence.

Prof. Wilson.

Su`per*em"i*nent (?), a. [L. supereminens, p. pr. of supereminere. See Super-, and Eminent.] Eminent in a superior degree; surpassing others in excellence; as, a supereminent divine; the supereminent glory of Christ. -- Su`per*em"i*nent*ly, adv.

Su`per*er"o*gant (?), a. [L. supererogans, p. pr. See Supererogate.] Supererogatory. [Obs.]

Su`per*er"o*gate (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Supererogated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Supererogating.] [L. supererogatus, p. p. of supererogare to spend or pay out over and above; super over, above + erogare to expend or pay out money from the public treasury after asking the consent of the people. See Super-, and Erogate, Rogation.] To do more than duty requires; to perform works of supererogation; to atone (for a dificiency in another) by means of a surplus action or quality.

The fervency of one man in prayer can not supererogate for the
coldness of another.

Milton.

Su`per*er`o*ga"tion (?), n. [L. supererogatio a payment in addition.] The act of supererogating; performance of more than duty or necessity requires.

Works of supererogation (R. C. Ch.), those good deeds believed to have been performed by saints, or capable of being performed by men, over and above what is required for their own salvation.

Su`per*e*rog"a*tive (?), a. Supererogatory.

Su`per*e*rog"a*to*ry (?), a. Performed to an extent not enjoined, or not required, by duty or necessity; as, supererogatory services. Howell.

Su`per*es*sen"tial (?), a. Essential above others, or above the constitution of a thing. J. Ellis.

Su`per*eth"ic*al (?), a. More than ethical; above ethics. Bolingbroke.

Su`per*ex*alt" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superexalted; p. pr. & vb. n. Superexalting.] To exalt to a superior degree; to exalt above others. Barrow.

Su`per*ex`al*ta"tion (?), n. Elevation above the common degree. Holyday.

Su`per*ex"cel*lence (?), n. Superior excellence; extraordinary excellence.

Su`per*ex"cel*lent (?), a. [Pref. super- + excellent: cf. L. superexcellens.] Excellent in an uncommon degree; very excellent. Drayton.

Su`per*ex`ci*na"tion (?), n. Excessive, or more than normal, excitation.

Su`per*ex*cres"cence (?), n. Something growing superfluously.

Su"per*fam`i*ly (?), n. (Zoöl.) A group intermediate between a family and a suborder.

Su`per*fec`un*da"tion (?), n. (Physiol.) Fertilization of two ova, at the same menstruation, by two different acts of coition.

Su`per*fe*cun"di*ty (?), n. Superabundant fecundity or multiplication of the species.

Su`per*fe"tate (?), v. i. [L. superfetare; super above, over + fetare to bring forth.] To conceive after a prior conception, but before the birth of the offspring.

The female . . . is said to superfetate.

Grew.

Su`per*fe*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. superfétation.] (Physiol.) The formation of a fetus at the result of an impregnation occurring after another impregnation but before the birth of the offspring produced by it. This is possible only when there is a double uterus, or where menstruation persists up to the time of the second impregnation.

In then became a superfetation upon, and not an ingredient in, the
national character.

Coleridge.

Su`per*fete" (?), v. i. To superfetate. [Obs.]

Su`per*fete", v. t. To conceive (another fetus) after a former conception. [Obs.] Howell.

Su"per*fice (?), n. A superficies. [Obs.] Dryden.

Su`per*fi"cial (?), a. [L. superficialis: cf. F. superficiel. See Superficies.] 1. Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; lying on the surface; shallow; not deep; as, a superficial color; a superficial covering; superficial measure or contents; superficial tillage.

2. Reaching or comprehending only what is obvious or apparent; not deep or profound; shallow; -- said especially in respect to study, learning, and the like; as, a superficial scholar; superficial knowledge.

This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise.

Shak.

He is a presumptuous and superficial writer.

Burke.

That superficial judgment, which happens to be right without
deserving to be so.

J. H. Newman.

-- Su`per*fi"cial*ly, adv. -- Su`per*fi"cial*ness, n.

Su`per*fi"cial*ist, n. One who attends to anything superficially; a superficial or shallow person; a sciolist; a smatterer.

Su`per*fi`ci*al"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. superficialité.] The quality or state of being superficial; also, that which is superficial. Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*fi"cial*ize (?), v. t. To attend to, or to treat, superficially, or in a shallow or slighting way. [R.]

It is a characteristic weakness of the day to superficialize evil.

E. P. Whipple.

Su`per*fi"ci*a*ry (?), n. (Rom. Law) One to whom a right of surface occupation is granted; one who pays quitrent for a house built upon another man's ground.

Su`per*fi"ci*a*ry, a. 1. Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; superficial.

2. (Rom. Law) Situated or built on another man's land, as a house.

Su`per*fi"cies (?), n. [L., fr. super above, over + facies make, figure, shape. See Surface.] 1. The surface; the exterior part, superficial area, or face of a thing.

2. (Civil Law) (a) Everything on the surface of a piece of ground, or of a building, so closely connected by art or nature as to constitute a part of it, as houses, or other superstructures, fences, trees, vines, etc. (b) A real right consisting of a grant by a landed proprietor of a piece of ground, bearing a strong resemblance to the long building leases granted by landholders in England, in consideration of a rent, and under reservation of the ownership of the soil. Bouvier. Wharton.

Su"per*fine (?), a. 1. Very fine, or most fine; being of surpassing fineness; of extra nice or fine quality; as, superfine cloth.

2. Excessively fine; too nice; over particular; as, superfine distinctions; superfine tastes.

Su"per*fine`ness, n. The state of being superfine.

Su`per*fin"i*cal (?), a. Extremely finical.

Su*per"flu*ence (?), n. [L. superfluens, p. pr. of superfluere to flow or run over. See Superfluous.] Superfluity. [Obs.] Hammond.

Su`per*flu"i*tant (?), a. [L. super above + fluitans, p. pr. of fluitare intensive fr. fluere to flow.] Floating above or on the surface. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. -- Su`per*flu"i*tance (#), n. [Obs.]

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Su`per*flu"i*ty (?), n.; pl. Superfluities (#). [L. superfluité, L. superfluitas. See Superfluous.] 1. A greater quantity than is wanted; superabundance; as, a superfluity of water; a superfluity of wealth.

A quiet mediocrity is still to be preferred before a troubled
superfluity.

Suckling.

2. The state or quality of being superfluous; excess. "By a superfluity abominable." Chaucer.

3. Something beyond what is needed; something which serves for show or luxury.

Syn. -- Superabundance; excess; redundancy.

Su*per"flu*ous (?), a. [L. superfluus overflowing; super over, above + fluere to flow. See Super-, and Fluent.] More than is wanted or is sufficient; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; unnecessary; useless; excessive; as, a superfluous price. Shak.

An authority which makes all further argument or illustration
superfluous.

E. Everett.

Superfluous interval (Mus.), an interval that exceeds a major or perfect interval by a semitone.

Syn. -- Unnecessary; useless; exuberant; excessive; redundant; needless.

-- Su*per"flu*ous*ly, adv. -- Su*per"flu*ous*ness, n.

Su"per*flux (?), n. Superabundance; superfluity; an overflowing. [R.] Shak.

Su`per*fœ*ta"tion (?), n. Superfetation.

Su`per*fo`li*a"tion (?), n. Excess of foliation. Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*fron"tal (?), n. (Eccl.) A cloth which is placed over the top of an altar, and often hangs down a few inches over the frontal.

Su`per*fuse" (?), a. To pour (something) over or on something else. [Obs.] Evelyn.

Su`per*heat" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superheated; p. pr. & vb. n. Superheating.] 1. To heat too much, to overheat; as, to superheat an oven.

2. (Steam Engine) To heat, as steam, apart from contact with water, until it resembles a perfect gas.

Su"per*heat`, n. The increase of temperature communicated to steam by superheating it.

Su"per*heat`er (?), n. (Steam Engine) An apparatus for superheating steam.

Su"per*hive` (?), n. A removable upper part of a hive. The word is sometimes contracted to super.

Su`per*hu"man (?), a. Above or beyond what is human; sometimes, divine; as, superhuman strength; superhuman wisdom.

Su`per*im*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superimposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superimposing.] To lay or impose on something else; as, a stratum of earth superimposed on another stratum. -- Su`per*im`po*si"tion (#), n.

Su`per*im`preg*na"tion (?), n. The act of impregnating, or the state of being impregnated, in addition to a prior impregnation; superfetation.

{ Su`per*in*cum"bence (?), Su`per*in*cum"ben*cy (?), } n. The quality or state of being superincumbent.

Su`per*in*cum"bent (?), a. [L. superincumbens, p. pr. of superincumbere. See Super- , and Incumbent.] Lying or resting on something else.

Su`per*in*duce" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superinduced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superinducing (?).] [Pref. super- + induce: cf. L. superinducere to draw over.] To bring in, or upon, as an addition to something.

Long custom of sinning superinduces upon the soul new and absurd
desires.

South.

Su`per*in*duce"ment (?), n. Superinduction.

Su`per*in*duc"tion (?), n. The act of superinducing, or the state of being superinduced. South.

Su`per*in*fuse" (?), v. t. [Pref. super- + infuse: cf. L. superinfundere, superinfusum, to pour over.] To infuse over. [R.]

Su`per*in*jec"tion (?), n. An injection succeeding another.

Su`per*in*spect" (?), v. t. [Pref. super- + inspect: cf. L. superinspicere, superinspectum.] To over see; to superintend by inspection. [R.] Maydman.

Su`per*in`sti*tu"tion (?), n. One institution upon another, as when A is instituted and admitted to a benefice upon a title, and B instituted and admitted upon the presentation of another. Bailey.

Su`per*in`tel*lec"tu*al (?), a. Being above intellect.

Su`per*in*tend" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superintended; p. pr. & vb. n. Superintending.] [L. superintendere. See Super-, and Intend.] To have or exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee with the power of direction; to take care of with authority; to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a ship or the construction of a fort.

The king may appoint a council, who may superintend the works of
this nature.

Bacon.

Syn. -- Superintend, Supervise. These words in general use are the synonymous. As sometimes used, supervise implies the more general, and superintend, the more particular and constant, inspection or direction. Among architects there is a disposition to use the word supervise in the sense of a general oversight of the main points of construction with reference to the design, etc., and to employ the word superintend to signify a constant, careful attention to all the details of construction. But this technical distinction is not firmly established.

Su`per*in*tend"ence (?), n. [Cf. F. superintendance.] The act of superintending; care and oversight for the purpose of direction; supervision. Barrow.

Syn. -- Inspection; oversight; care; direction; control; guidance.

Su`per*in*tend"en*cy (?), n.; pl. -cies (&?;). The act of superintending; superintendence. Boyle.

Su`per*in*tend"ent (?), a. [L. superintendens, p. pr. See Superintend.] Overseeing; superintending.

Su`per*in*tend"ent (?), n. [Cf. OF. superintendant, F. surintendant. Cf. Surintendant.] One who has the oversight and charge of some place, institution, or organization, affairs, etc., with the power of direction; as, the superintendent of an almshouse; the superintendent of public works.

Syn. -- Inspector; overseer; manager; director; curator; supervisor.

Su`per*in*tend"er (?), n. A superintendent. [R.]

Su`per*in*vest"i*ture (?), n. An outer vestment or garment. [R.] Bp. Horne.

Su*pe"ri*or (?), a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super above, over: cf. F. supérieur. See Super-, and cf. Supreme.] 1. More elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of the sun; the superior part of an image.

2. Higher in rank or office; more exalted in dignity; as, a superior officer; a superior degree of nobility.

3. Higher or greater in excellence; surpassing others in the greatness, or value of any quality; greater in quality or degree; as, a man of superior merit; or of superior bravery.

4. Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or affected by; -- with to.

There is not in earth a spectacle more worthy than a great man
superior to his sufferings.

Spectator.

5. More comprehensive; as a term in classification; as, a genus is superior to a species.

6. (Bot.) (a) Above the ovary; -- said of parts of the flower which, although normally below the ovary, adhere to it, and so appear to originate from its upper part; also of an ovary when the other floral organs are plainly below it in position, and free from it. (b) Belonging to the part of an axillary flower which is toward the main stem; posterior. (c) Pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending; -- said of the radicle.

Superior conjunction, Superior planets, etc. See Conjunction, Planet, etc. -- Superior figure, Superior letter (Print.), a figure or letter printed above the line, as a reference to a note or an index of a power, etc; as, in x2 + yn, 2 is a superior figure, n a superior letter. Cf. Inferior figure, under Inferior.

Su*pe"ri*or, n. 1. One who is above, or surpasses, another in rank, station, office, age, ability, or merit; one who surpasses in what is desirable; as, Addison has no superior as a writer of pure English.

2. (Eccl.) The head of a monastery, convent, abbey, or the like.

Su*pe"ri*or*ess, n. (Eccl.) A woman who acts as chief in a convent, abbey, or nunnery; a lady superior.

Su*pe`ri*or"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. supériorité, LL. superioritas.] The quality, state, or condition of being superior; as, superiority of rank; superiority in merit.

Syn. -- Preëminence; excellence; predominancy; prevalence; ascendency; odds; advantage.

Su*pe"ri*or*ly (?), adv. In a superior position or manner.

Su`per*ja"cent (?), a. [L. superjacens, p. pr. of superjacere; super above + jacere to lie.] Situated immediately above; as, superjacent rocks.

Su`per*la"tion (?), n. [L. superlatio. See Superlative.] Exaltation of anything beyond truth or propriety. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Su`per*la"tive (?), a. [L. superlativus, fr. superlatus excessive, used as p. p. of superiorferre, but from a different root: cf. F. superlatif. See Elate, Tolerate.] 1. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the divine character.

2. (Gram.) Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most pleasant, least bright.

-- Su`per*la"tive*ly, adv. -- Su`per*la"tive*ness, n.

Su`per*la"tive, n. 1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.

2. (Gram.) (a) The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs; also, a form or word by which the superlative degree is expressed; as, strongest, wisest, most stormy, least windy, are all superlatives.

Absolute superlative, a superlative in an absolute rather than in a comparative or exclusive sense. See Elative.

Su`per*lu*cra"tion (?), n. [Pref. super- + L. lucratio gain.] Excessive or extraordinary gain. [Obs.] Davenant.

{ Su`per*lu"nar (?), Su`per*lu"na*ry (?), } a. Being above the moon; not belonging to this world; -- opposed to sublunary.

The head that turns at superlunar things.

Pope.

Su`per*ma*te"ri*al (?), a. Being above, or superior to, matter.

||Su`per*max*il"la (?), n. [NL. See Super-, and Maxilla.] (Anat.) The ||supermaxilla.

Su`per*max"il*la*ry (?), a. (Anat.) Supermaxillary.

Su`per*me"di*al (?), a. Above the middle.

Su`per*mun"dane (?), a. Being above the world; -- opposed to inframundane. Cudworth.

Su`per*mun"di*al (?), a. Supermundane. [Obs.]

Su`per*nac"u*lar (?), a. Like supernaculum; first-rate; as, a supernacular wine. [R.] Thackeray.

Su`per*nac"u*lum (?), adv. & n. [NL., from L. super over + G. nagel, a nail, as of the finger, or a corruption of L. super and ungulam claw.] 1. A kind of mock Latin term intended to mean, upon the nail; -- used formerly by topers. Nares.

Drinking super nagulum [supernaculum], a device of drinking, new
come out of France, which is, after a man hath turned up the bottom
of the cup, to drop it on his nail and make a pearl with that is
left; which if it slide, and he can not make it stand on by reason
there is too much, he must drink again for his penance.

Nash.

2. Good liquor, of which not enough is left to wet one's nail. Grose.

Su*per"nal (?), a. [L. supernus, from super above: cf. F. supernel. See Super-.] 1. Being in a higher place or region; locally higher; as, the supernal orbs; supernal regions. "That supernal judge." Shak.

2. Relating or belonging to things above; celestial; heavenly; as, supernal grace.

Not by the sufferance of supernal power.

Milton.

Su`per*na"tant (?), a. [L. supernatanus, p. pr. of supernatare to swim above; super above + natare to swim.] Swimming above; floating on the surface; as, oil supernatant on water.

Su`per*na*ta"tion (?), n. The act of floating on the surface of a fluid. Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*nat"u*ral (?), a. [Pref. super- + natural: cf. OF. supernaturel, F. surnaturel.] Being beyond, or exceeding, the power or laws of nature; miraculous.

Syn. -- Preternatural. -- Supernatural, Preternatural. Preternatural signifies beside nature, and supernatural, above or beyond nature. What is very greatly aside from the ordinary course of things is preternatural; what is above or beyond the established laws of the universe is supernatural. The dark day which terrified all Europe nearly a century ago was preternatural; the resurrection of the dead is supernatural. "That form which the earth is under at present is preternatural, like a statue made and broken again." T. Burnet. "Cures wrought by medicines are natural operations; but the miraculous ones wrought by Christ and his apostles were supernatural." Boyle.

That is supernatural, whether it be, that is either not in the
chain of natural cause and effect, or which acts on the chain of
cause and effect in nature, from without the chain.

Bushnell.

We must not view creation as supernatural, but we do look upon it
as miraculous.

McCosh.

The supernatural, whatever is above and beyond the scope, or the established course, of the laws of nature. "Nature and the supernatural." H. Bushnell.

Su`per*nat"u*ral*ism (?), n. 1. The quality or state of being supernatural; supernaturalness.

2. (Theol.) The doctrine of a divine and supernatural agency in the production of the miracles and revelations recorded in the Bible, and in the grace which renews and sanctifies men, -- in opposition to the doctrine which denies the agency of any other than physical or natural causes in the case. [Written also supranaturalism.]

Su`per*nat"u*ral*ist, n. One who holds to the principles of supernaturalism.

Su`per*nat`u*ral*is"tic (?), a. Of or pertaining to supernaturalism.

Su`per*nat`u*ral"i*ty (?), n. The quality or state of being supernatural.

Su`per*nat"u*ral*ize (?), v. t. To treat or regard as supernatural.

Su`per*nat"u*ral*ly, adv. In a supernatural manner.

Su`per*nat"u*ral*ness, n. The quality or state of being supernatural.

Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry (?), a. [L. supernumerarius: cf. OF. supernuméraire, F. surnuméraire. See Super-, and Numerary, Number.] 1. Exceeding the number stated or prescribed; as, a supernumerary officer in a regiment.

2. Exceeding a necessary, usual, or required number or quality; superfluous; as, supernumerary addresses; supernumerary expense. Addison.

Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry, n.; pl. Supernumeraries (&?;). 1. A person or thing beyond the number stated.

2. A person or thing beyond what is necessary or usual; especially, a person employed not for regular service, but only to fill the place of another in case of need; specifically, in theaters, a person who is not a regular actor, but is employed to appear in a stage spectacle.

Su`per*oc*cip"i*tal (?), a. Supraoccipital.

Su`per*or"der (?), n. (Zoöl.) A group intermediate in importance between an order and a subclass.

Su`per*or`di*na"tion (?), n. [Pref. super- + ordination: cf. L. superordinatio.] The ordination of a person to fill a station already occupied; especially, the ordination by an ecclesiastical official, during his lifetime, of his successor. Fuller.

Su`per*ox"ide (?), n. (Chem.) See Peroxide. [Obs.]

Su`per*par*tic"u*lar (?), a. [L. superparticularis. See Super-, and Particular.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to a ratio when the excess of the greater term over the less is a unit, as the ratio of 1 to 2, or of 3 to 4. [Obs.] Hutton.

Su`per*par"tient (?), a. [L. superpartiens; super over + partiens, p. pr. of partire to divide.] (Math.) Of or pertaining to a ratio when the excess of the greater term over the less is more than a unit, as that of 3 to 5, or 7 to 10. [Obs.] Hutton.

Su`per*phos"phate (?), n. (Chem.) An acid phosphate.

Superphosphate of lime (Com. Chem.), a fertilizer obtained by trating bone dust, bone black, or phosphorite with sulphuric acid, whereby the insoluble neutral calcium phosphate, Ca3(PO4)2, is changed to the primary or acid calcium phosphate Ca(H2PO4)2, which is soluble and therefore available for the soil.

Su`per*phys"ic*al (?), a. Above or beyond physics; not explainable by physical laws.

Something superphysical and superchemical.

J. Le Conte.

Su"per*plant` (?), n. A plant growing on another, as the mistletoe; an epiphyte. [Obs.] Bacon.

Su`per*please" (?), v. t. To please exceedingly. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

Su"per*plus (?), n. [Pref. super- + L. plus more. See Surplus.] Surplus. [Obs.] Goldsmith.

Su"per*plus`age (?), n. Surplusage. [Obs.] "There yet remained a superplusage." Bp. Fell.

Su`per*pol"i*tic (?), a. More than politic; above or exceeding policy. Milton.

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Su`per*pon"der*ate (?), v. t. To wiegh over and above. [Obs.]

Su`per*pos"a*ble (?), a. Capable of being superposed, as one figure upon another.

Su`per*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superposing.] [F. superposer. See Super- , and Pose.] 1. To lay upon, as one kind of rock on another.

2. (Geom.) To lay (a figure) upon another in such a manner that all the parts of the one coincide with the parts of the other; as, to superpose one plane figure on another.

Su`per*po*si"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. superposition. See Super-, and Position.] The act of superposing, or the state of being superposed; as, the superposition of rocks; the superposition of one plane figure on another, in geometry.

Su`per*praise" (?), v. t. To praise to excess.

To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts.

Shak.

Su`per*pro*por"tion (?), n. Overplus or excess of proportion. Sir K. Digby.

Su`per*pur*ga"tion (?), n. Excessive purgation. Wiseman.

Su`per*re*flec"tion (?), n. The reflection of a reflected image or sound. [R.] Bacon.

Su`per*re"gal (?), a. More than regal; worthy of one greater than a king. Waterland.

Su`per*re*ward" (?), v. t. To reward to an excessive degree. Bacon.

Su`per*roy"al (?), a. Larger than royal; -- said of a particular size of printing and writing paper. See the Note under Paper, n.

Su`per*sa"cral (?), a. (Anat.) Situated over, or on the dorsal side of, the sacrum.

Su`per*sa"li*en*cy (?), n. The act of leaping on anything. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.

Su`per*sa"li*ent (?), a. [Pref. super- + L. saliens p. pr. of salire to leap.] Leaping upon. [Obs.]

Su`per*salt" (?), n. (Chem.) An acid salt. See Acid salt (a), under Salt, n.

Su`per*sat"u*rate (?), v. t. To add to beyond saturation; as, to supersaturate a solution.

Su`per*sat`u*ra"tion (?), n. The operation of supersaturating, or the state of being supersaturated.

Su`per*scribe" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superscribed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superscribing.] [L. superscribere, superscriptum; super over + scribere to write. See Super-, and Scribe.] To write or engrave (a name, address, inscription, or the like) on the top or surface; to write a name, address, or the like, on the outside or cover of (anything); as, to superscribe a letter.

Su"per*script (?), n. Superscription. [Obs.] "I will overglance the superscript." Shak.

Su`per*scrip"tion (?), n. [L. superscriptio. See Superscribe.] 1. The act of superscribing.

2. That which is written or engraved on the surface, outside, or above something else; specifically, an address on a letter, envelope, or the like. Holland.

The superscription of his accusation was written over, The King of
the Jews.

Mark xv. 26.

3. (Pharm.) That part of a prescription which contains the Latin word recipe (Take) or the sign &?;.

Su`per*sec"u*lar (?), a. Being above the world, or secular things. Bp. Hall.

Su`per*sede" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superseded (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Superseding.] [L. supersedere, supersessum, to sit above, be superior to, forbear, omit; super above + sedere to sit: cf. F. superséder. See Sit, and cf. Surcease.] 1. To come, or be placed, in the room of; to replace.

2. To displace, or set aside, and put another in place of; as, to supersede an officer.

3. To make void, inefficacious, or useless, by superior power, or by coming in the place of; to set aside; to render unnecessary; to suspend; to stay.

Nothing is supposed that can supersede the known laws of natural
motion.

Bentley.

4. (Old Law) To omit; to forbear.

||Su`per*se"de*as (?), n. [L., suspend, set aside, stay, 2d pers. sing. ||present subjunctive of supersedere. See Supersede.] (Law) A writ of ||command to suspend the powers of an officer in certain cases, or to ||stay proceedings under another writ. Blackstone.

Su*per*se"dure (?), n. The act of superseding, or setting aside; supersession; as, the supersedure of trial by jury. A. Hamilton.

Su`per*sem"i*nate (?), v. t. To sow, as seed, over something previously sown. [Obs.]

That can not be done with joy, when it shall be indifferent to any
man to superseminate what he please.

Jer. Taylor.

Su`per*sem`i*na"tion (?), n. The sowing of seed over seed previously sown. [Obs.] Abp. Bramhall.

Su`per*sen"si*ble (?), a. [Pref. super- + sensible: cf. F. supersensible.] Beyond the reach of the senses; above the natural powers of perception.

Su`per*sen"si*tive (?), a. Excessively sensitive; morbidly sensitive. -- Su`per*sen"si*tive*ness, n.

Su`per*sen"su*al (?), a. Supersensible.

Su`per*sen"su*ous (?), a. 1. Supersensible.

2. Excessively sensuous.

Su`per*serv"ice*a*ble (?), a. Overofficious; doing more than is required or desired. "A superserviceable, finical rogue." Shak.

Su`per*ses"sion (?), n. [Cf. OF. supersession. See Supersede.] The act of superseding, or the state of being superseded; supersedure.

The general law of diminishing return from land would have
undergone, to that extent, a temporary supersession.

J. S. Mill.

Su`per*so"lar (?), a. Above the sun. Emerson.

Su`per*sphe*noid"al (?), a. (Anat.) Situated above, or on the dorsal side of, the body of the sphenoid bone.

Su`per*spi"nous (?), a. (Anat.) Supraspinuos.