Defn: 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.
SUPEREROGATIVESu`per*e*rog"a*tive, a.
Defn: Supererogatory.
SUPEREROGATORYSu`per*e*rog"a*to*ry, a.
Defn: Performed to an extent not enjoined, or not required, by duty or necessity; as, supererogatory services. Howell.
SUPERESSENTIALSu`per*es*sen"tial, a.
Defn: Essential above others, or above the constitution of a thing.J. Ellis.
SUPERETHICALSu`per*eth"ic*al, a.
Defn: More than ethical; above ethics. Bolingbroke.
SUPEREXALTSu`per*ex*alt", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superexalted; p. pr. & vb. n.Superexalting.]
Defn: To exalt to a superior degree; to exalt above others. Barrow.
SUPEREXALTATIONSu`per*ex`al*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Elevation above the common degree. Holyday.
SUPEREXCELLENCESu`per*ex"cel*lence, n.
Defn: Superior excellence; extraordinary excellence.
SUPEREXCELLENT Su`per*ex"cel*lent, a. Etym: [Pref. super- + excellent: cf. L. superexcellens.]
Defn: Excellent in an uncommon degree; very excellent. Drayton.
SUPEREXCINATIONSu`per*ex`ci*na"tion, n.
Defn: Excessive, or more than normal, excitation.
SUPEREXCRESCENCESu`per*ex*cres"cence, n.
Defn: Something growing superfluously.
SUPERFAMILYSu"per*fam`i*ly, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group intermediate between a family and a suborder.
SUPERFECUNDATIONSu`per*fec`un*da"tion, n. (Physiol.)
Defn: Fertilization of two ova, at the same menstruation, by two different acts of coition.
SUPERFECUNDITYSu`per*fe*cun"di*ty, n.
Defn: Superabundant fecundity or multiplication of the species.
SUPERFETATE Su`per*fe"tate, v. i. Etym: [L. superfetare; super above, over + fetare to bring forth.]
Defn: To conceive after a prior conception, but before the birth ofthe offspring.The female . . . is said to superfetate. Grew.
SUPERFETATIONSu`per*fe*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. superfétation.] (Physiol.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERFETESu`per*fete", v. i.
Defn: To superfetate. [Obs.]
SUPERFETESu`per*fete", v. t.
Defn: To conceive (another fetus) after a former conception. [Obs.]Howell.
SUPERFICESu"per*fice, n.
Defn: A superficies. [Obs.] Dryden.
SUPERFICIALSu`per*fi"cial, a. Etym: [L. superficialis: cf. F. superficiel. SeeSuperficies.]
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.
SUPERFICIALISTSu`per*fi"cial*ist, n.
Defn: One who attends to anything superficially; a superficial or shallow person; a sciolist; a smatterer.
SUPERFICIALITYSu`per*fi`ci*al"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. superficialité.]
Defn: The quality or state of being superficial; also, that which is superficial. Sir T. Browne.
SUPERFICIALIZESu`per*fi"cial*ize, v. t.
Defn: To attend to, or to treat, superficially, or in a shallow orslighting way. [R.]It is a characteristic weakness of the day to superficialize evil. E.P. Whipple.
SUPERFICIARYSu`per*fi"ci*a*ry, n. (Rom. Law)
Defn: One to whom a right of surface occupation is granted; one who pays quitrent for a house built upon another man's ground.
SUPERFICIARYSu`per*fi"ci*a*ry, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; superficial.
2. (Rom. Law)
Defn: Situated or built on another man's land, as a house.
SUPERFICIES Su`per*fi"cies, n. Etym: [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.
SUPERFINESu"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.
SUPERFINENESSSu"per*fine`ness, n.
Defn: The state of being superfine.
SUPERFINICALSu`per*fin"i*cal, a.
Defn: Extremely finical.
SUPERFLUENCE Su*per"flu*ence, n. Etym: [L. superfluens, p.pr. of superfluere to flow or run over. See Superfluous.]
Defn: Superfluity. [Obs.] Hammond.
SUPERFLUITANT Su`per*flu"i*tant, a. Etym: [L. super above + fluitans, p.pr. of fluitare intensive fr. fluere to flow.]
Defn: Floating above or on the surface. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.— Su`per*flu"i*tance, n. [Obs.]
SUPERFLUITY Su`per*flu"i*ty, n.; pl. Superfluities. Etym: [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.
SUPERFLUOUS Su*per"flu*ous, a. Etym: [L. superfluus overflowing; super over, above + fluere to flow. See Super-, and Fluent.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERFLUXSu"per*flux, n.
Defn: Superabundance; superfluity; an overflowing. [R.] Shak.
SUPERFOETATIONSu`per*foe*ta"tion, n.
Defn: Superfetation.
SUPERFOLIATIONSu`per*fo`li*a"tion, n.
Defn: Excess of foliation. Sir T. Browne.
SUPERFRONTALSu`per*fron"tal, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: A cloth which is placed over the top of an altar, and often hangs down a few inches over the frontal.
SUPERFUSESu`per*fuse", a.
Defn: To pour (something) over or on something else. [Obs.] Evelyn.
SUPERHEATSu`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)
Defn: To heat, as steam, apart from contact with water, until it resembles a perfect gas.
SUPERHEATSu"per*heat`, n.
Defn: The increase of temperature communicated to steam by superheating it.
SUPERHEATERSu"per*heat`er, n. (Steam Engine)
Defn: An apparatus for superheating steam.
SUPERHIVESu"per*hive`, n.
Defn: A removable upper part of a hive. The word is sometimes contracted to super.
SUPERHUMANSu`per*hu"man, a.
Defn: Above or beyond what is human; sometimes, divine; as, superhuman strength; superhuman wisdom.
SUPERIMPOSESu`per*im*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superimposed; p. pr. & vb. n.Superimposing.]
Defn: To lay or impose on something else; as, a stratum of earth superimposed on another stratum. — Su`per*im`po*si"tion, n.
SUPERIMPREGNATIONSu`per*im`preg*na"tion, n.
Defn: The act of impregnating, or the state of being impregnated, in addition to a prior impregnation; superfetation.
SUPERINCUMBENCE; SUPERINCUMBENCYSu`per*in*cum"bence, Su`per*in*cum"ben*cy, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being superincumbent.
SUPERINCUMBENT Su`per*in*cum"bent, a. Etym: [L. superincumbens, p.pr. of superincumbere. See Super-, and Incumbent.]
Defn: Lying or resting on something else.
SUPERINDUCESu`per*in*duce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superinduced; p. pr. & vb. n.Superinducing.] Etym: [Pref. super- + induce: cf. L. superinducere todraw over.]
Defn: To bring in, or upon, as an addition to something. Long custom of sinning superinduces upon the soul new and absurd desires. South.
SUPERINDUCEMENTSu`per*in*duce"ment, n.
Defn: Superinduction.
SUPERINDUCTIONSu`per*in*duc"tion, n.
Defn: The act of superinducing, or the state of being superinduced.South.
SUPERINFUSE Su`per*in*fuse", v. t. Etym: [Pref. super- + infuse: cf. L. superinfundere, superinfusum, to pour over.]
Defn: To infuse over. [R.]
SUPERINJECTIONSu`per*in*jec"tion, n.
Defn: An injection succeeding another.
SUPERINSPECT Su`per*in*spect", v. t. Etym: [Pref. super- + inspect: cf. L. superinspicere, superinspectum.]
Defn: To over see; to superintend by inspection. [R.] Maydman.
SUPERINSTITUTIONSu`per*in`sti*tu"tion, n.
Defn: 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.
SUPERINTELLECTUALSu`per*in`tel*lec"tu*al, a.
Defn: Being above intellect.
SUPERINTENDSu`per*in*tend", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superintended; p. pr. & vb. n.Superintending.] Etym: [L. superintendere. See Super-, and Intend.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERINTENDENCESu`per*in*tend"ence, n. Etym: [Cf. F. superintendance.]
Defn: The act of superintending; care and oversight for the purpose of direction; supervision. Barrow.
Syn.— Inspection; oversight; care; direction; control; guidance.
SUPERINTENDENCYSu`per*in*tend"en*cy, n.; pl. -cies (.
Defn: The act of superintending; superintendence. Boyle.
SUPERINTENDENTSu`per*in*tend"ent, a. Etym: [L. superintendens, p.pr. SeeSuperintend.]
Defn: Overseeing; superintending.
SUPERINTENDENT Su`per*in*tend"ent, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. superintendant, F. surintendant. Cf. Surintendant.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERINTENDERSu`per*in*tend"er, n.
Defn: A superintendent. [R.]
SUPERINVESTITURESu`per*in*vest"i*ture, n.
Defn: An outer vestment or garment. [R.] Bp. Horne.
SUPERIOR Su*pe"ri*or, a. Etym: [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.
SUPERIORSu*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.)
Defn: The head of a monastery, convent, abbey, or the like.
SUPERIORESSSu*pe"ri*or*ess, n. (Eccl.)
Defn: A woman who acts as chief in a convent, abbey, or nunnery; a lady superior.
SUPERIORITYSu*pe`ri*or"i*ty, n. Etym: [Cf. F. supériorité, LL. superioritas.]
Defn: The quality, state, or condition of being superior; as, superiority of rank; superiority in merit.
Syn. — Preëminence; excellence; predominancy; prevalence; ascendency; odds; advantage.
SUPERIORLYSu*pe"ri*or*ly, adv.
Defn: In a superior position or manner.
SUPERJACENT Su`per*ja"cent, a. Etym: [L. superjacens, p.pr. of superjacere; super above + jacere to lie.]
Defn: Situated immediately above; as, superjacent rocks.
SUPERLATIONSu`per*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. superlatio. See Superlative.]
Defn: Exaltation of anything beyond truth or propriety. [Obs.] B.Jonson.
SUPERLATIVE Su`per*la"tive, a. Etym: [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.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERLATIVESu`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.
SUPERLUCRATIONSu`per*lu*cra"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. super- + L. lucratio gain.]
Defn: Excessive or extraordinary gain. [Obs.] Davenant.
SUPERLUNAR; SUPERLUNARYSu`per*lu"nar, Su`per*lu"na*ry, a.
Defn: Being above the moon; not belonging to this world; — opposedto sublunary.The head that turns at superlunar things. Pope.
SUPERMANSu"per*man`, n.
Defn: = Overman, above.
SUPERMATERIALSu`per*ma*te"ri*al, a.
Defn: Being above, or superior to, matter.
SUPERMAXILLASu`per*max*il"la, n. Etym: [NL. See Super-, and Maxilla.] (Anat.)
Defn: The supermaxilla.
SUPERMAXILLARYSu`per*max"il*la*ry, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Supermaxillary.
SUPERMEDIALSu`per*me"di*al, a.
Defn: Above the middle.
SUPERMUNDANESu`per*mun"dane, a.
Defn: Being above the world; — opposed to inframundane. Cudworth.
SUPERMUNDIALSu`per*mun"di*al, a.
Defn: Supermundane. [Obs.]
SUPERNACULARSu`per*nac"u*lar, a.
Defn: Like supernaculum; first-rate; as, a supernacular wine. [R.]Thackeray.
SUPERNACULUM Su`per*nac"u*lum, adv. & n. Etym: [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.
SUPERNALSu*per"nal, a. Etym: [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.
SUPERNATANT Su`per*na"tant, a. Etym: [L. supernatanus, p.pr. of supernatare to swim above; super above + natare to swim.]
Defn: Swimming above; floating on the surface; as, oil supernatant onwater. SUPERNATANTSu`per*na"tant, n. (Chem.)
Defn: The liquid remaining after solids suspended in a liquid have been sedimented by gravity or by centrifugation. Contrasted with the solid sediment, or (in centrifugation) the pellet.
SUPERNATATIONSu`per*na*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of floating on the surface of a fluid. Sir T. Browne.
SUPERNATURAL Su`per*nat"u*ral, a. Etym: [Pref. super- + natural: cf. OF. supernaturel, F. surnaturel.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERNATURALISMSu`per*nat"u*ral*ism, n.
1. The quality or state of being supernatural; supernaturalness.
2. (Theol.)
Defn: 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.]
SUPERNATURALISTSu`per*nat"u*ral*ist, n.
Defn: One who holds to the principles of supernaturalism.
SUPERNATURALISTICSu`per*nat`u*ral*is"tic, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to supernaturalism.
SUPERNATURALITYSu`per*nat`u*ral"i*ty, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being supernatural.
SUPERNATURALIZESu`per*nat"u*ral*ize, v. t.
Defn: To treat or regard as supernatural.
SUPERNATURALLYSu`per*nat"u*ral*ly, adv.
Defn: In a supernatural manner.
SUPERNATURALNESSSu`per*nat"u*ral*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being supernatural.
SUPERNUMERARY Su`per*nu"mer*a*ry, a. Etym: [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.
SUPERNUMERARYSu`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.
SUPEROCCIPITALSu`per*oc*cip"i*tal, a.
Defn: Supraoccipital.
SUPERORDERSu`per*or"der, n. (Zoöl.)
Defn: A group intermediate in importance between an order and a subclass.
SUPERORDINATION Su`per*or`di*na"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. super- + ordination: cf. L. superordinatio.]
Defn: 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.
SUPEROXIDESu`per*ox"ide, n. (Chem.)
Defn: See Peroxide. [Obs.]
SUPERPARTICULARSu`per*par*tic"u*lar, a. Etym: [L. superparticularis. See Super-, andParticular.] (Math.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERPARTIENT Su`per*par"tient, a. Etym: [L. superpartiens; super over + partiens, p.pr. of partire to divide.] (Math.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERPHOSPHATESu`per*phos"phate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERPHYSICALSu`per*phys"ic*al, a.
Defn: Above or beyond physics; not explainable by physical laws.Something superphysical and superchemical. J. Le Conte.
SUPERPLANTSu"per*plant`, n.
Defn: A plant growing on another, as the mistletoe; an epiphyte.[Obs.] Bacon.
SUPERPLEASESu`per*please", v. t.
Defn: To please exceedingly. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
SUPERPLUSSu"per*plus, n. Etym: [Pref. super- + L. plus more. See Surplus.]
Defn: Surplus. [Obs.] Goldsmith.
SUPERPLUSAGESu"per*plus`age, n.
Defn: Surplusage. [Obs.] "There yet remained a superplusage." Bp.Fell.
SUPERPOLITICSu`per*pol"i*tic, a.
Defn: More than politic; above or exceeding policy. Milton.
SUPERPONDERATESu`per*pon"der*ate, v. t.
Defn: To wiegh over and above. [Obs.]
SUPERPOSABLESu`per*pos"a*ble, a.
Defn: Capable of being superposed, as one figure upon another.
SUPERPOSESu`per*pose", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superposed; p. pr. & vb. n.Superposing.] Etym: [F. superposer. See Super-, and Pose.]
1. To lay upon, as one kind of rock on another.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: 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.
SUPERPOSITIONSu`per*po*si"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. superposition. See Super-, andPosition.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERPRAISESu`per*praise", v. t.
Defn: To praise to excess.To vow, and swear, and superpraise my parts. Shak.
SUPERPROPORTIONSu`per*pro*por"tion, n.
Defn: Overplus or excess of proportion. Sir K. Digby.
SUPERPURGATIONSu`per*pur*ga"tion, n.
Defn: Excessive purgation. Wiseman.
SUPERREFLECTIONSu`per*re*flec"tion, n.
Defn: The reflection of a reflected image or sound. [R.] Bacon.
SUPERREGALSu`per*re"gal, a.
Defn: More than regal; worthy of one greater than a king. Waterland.
SUPERREWARDSu`per*re*ward", v. t.
Defn: To reward to an excessive degree. Bacon.
SUPERROYALSu`per*roy"al, a.
Defn: Larger than royal; — said of a particular size of printing and writing paper. See the Note under Paper, n.
SUPERSACRALSu`per*sa"cral, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated over, or on the dorsal side of, the sacrum.
SUPERSALIENCYSu`per*sa"li*en*cy, n.
Defn: The act of leaping on anything. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
SUPERSALIENT Su`per*sa"li*ent, a. Etym: [Pref. super- + L. saliens p.pr. of salire to leap.]
Defn: Leaping upon. [Obs.]
SUPERSALTSu`per*salt", n. (Chem.)
Defn: An acid salt. See Acid salt (a), under Salt, n.
SUPERSATURATESu`per*sat"u*rate, v. t.
Defn: To add to beyond saturation; as, to supersaturate a solution.
SUPERSATURATIONSu`per*sat`u*ra"tion, n.
Defn: The operation of supersaturating, or the state of being supersaturated.
SUPERSCRIBESu`per*scribe", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superscribed; p. pr. & vb. n.Superscribing.] Etym: [L. superscribere, superscriptum; super over +scribere to write. See Super-, and Scribe.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERSCRIPTSu"per*script, n.
Defn: Superscription. [Obs.] "I will overglance the superscript."Shak.
SUPERSCRIPTIONSu`per*scrip"tion, n. Etym: [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.)
Defn: That part of a prescription which contains the Latin word recipe (Take) or the sign
SUPERSECULARSu`per*sec"u*lar, a.
Defn: Being above the world, or secular things. Bp. Hall.
SUPERSEDE Su`per*sede", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Superseded; p. pr. & vb. n. Superseding.] Etym: [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)
Defn: To omit; to forbear.
SUPERSEDEAS Su`per*se"de*as, n. Etym: [L., suspend, set aside, stay, 2d pers. sing. present subjunctive of supersedere. See Supersede.] (Law)
Defn: A writ of command to suspend the powers of an officer in certain cases, or to stay proceedings under another writ. Blackstone.
SUPERSEDURESu*per*se"dure, n.
Defn: The act of superseding, or setting aside; supersession; as, the supersedure of trial by jury. A. Hamilton.
SUPERSEMINATESu`per*sem"i*nate, v. t.
Defn: 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.
SUPERSEMINATIONSu`per*sem`i*na"tion, n.
Defn: The sowing of seed over seed previously sown. [Obs.] Abp.Bramhall.
SUPERSENSIBLE Su`per*sen"si*ble, a. Etym: [Pref. super- + sensible: cf. F. supersensible.]
Defn: Beyond the reach of the senses; above the natural powers of perception.
SUPERSENSITIVESu`per*sen"si*tive, a.
Defn: Excessively sensitive; morbidly sensitive.— Su`per*sen"si*tive*ness, n.
SUPERSENSUALSu`per*sen"su*al, a.
Defn: Supersensible.
SUPERSENSUOUSSu`per*sen"su*ous, a.
1. Supersensible.
2. Excessively sensuous.
SUPERSERVICEABLESu`per*serv"ice*a*ble, a.
Defn: Overofficious; doing more than is required or desired. "A superserviceable, finical rogue." Shak.
SUPERSESSIONSu`per*ses"sion, n. Etym: [Cf. OF. supersession. See Supersede.]
Defn: 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.
SUPERSOLARSu`per*so"lar, a.
Defn: Above the sun. Emerson.
SUPERSPHENOIDALSu`per*sphe*noid"al, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Situated above, or on the dorsal side of, the body of the sphenoid bone.
SUPERSPINOUSSu`per*spi"nous, a. (Anat.)
Defn: Supraspinuos.
SUPERSTITION Su`per*sti"tion, n. Etym: [F. superstition, L. superstitio, originally, a standing still over or by a thing; hence, amazement, wonder, dread, especially of the divine or supernatural, fr. superstare to stand over; super over + stare to stand. See Super-, and Stand.]
1. An excessive reverence for, or fear of, that which is unknown or mysterious.
2. An ignorant or irrational worship of the Supreme Deity; excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice; extreme and unnecessary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; also, a rite or practice proceeding from excess of sculptures in religion. And the truth With superstitions and traditions taint. Milton.
3. The worship of a false god or gods; false religion; religious veneration for objects. [The accusers] had certain questions against him of their own superstition. Acts xxv. 19.
4. Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in magic, omens, prognostics, or the like.
5. Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness.
Syn. — Fanaticism. — Superstition, Fanaticism. Superstition springs from religious feeling misdirected or unenlightened. Fanaticism arises from this same feeling in a state of high-wrought and self-confident excitement. The former leads in some cases to excessive rigor in religious opinions or practice; in others, to unfounded belief in extraordinary events or in charms, omens, and prognostics, hence producing weak fears, or excessive scrupulosity as to outward observances. The latter gives rise to an utter disregard of reason under the false assumption of enjoying a guidance directly inspired. Fanaticism has a secondary sense as applied to politics, etc., which corresponds to the primary.
SUPERSTITIONISTSu`per*sti"tion*ist, n.
Defn: One addicted to superstition. [Obs.] "Blind superstitionists."Dr. H. More.
SUPERSTITIOUSSu`per*sti"tious, a. Etym: [F. superstitieux, L. superstitiosus.]
1. Of or pertaining to superstition; proceeding from, or manifesting, superstition; as, superstitious rites; superstitious observances.
2. Evincing superstition; overscrupulous and rigid in religious observances; addicted to superstition; full of idle fancies and scruples in regard to religion. Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. Acts xvii. 22.
3. Overexact; scrupulous beyond need. Superstitious use (Law), the use of a gift or bequest, as of land, etc., for the maintenance of the rites of a religion not tolerated by the law. [Eng.] Mozley & W. — Su`per*sti"tious*ly, adv. — Su`per*sti"tious*ness, n.
SUPERSTRAINSu`per*strain", v. t.
Defn: To overstrain. Bacon.
SUPERSTRATUMSu`per*stra"tum, n.; pl. Superstrata (. Etym: [NL.: cf. L.supersternere, superstratum, to spread upon. See Super-, andStratum.]
Defn: A stratum, or layer, above another.
SUPERSTRUCTSu`per*struct", v. t. Etym: [L. superstructus, p.p. of superstruereto build upon; super over + struere to build. See Super-, andStructure.]
Defn: To build over or upon another structure; to erect upon afoundation.This is the only proper basis on which to superstruct first innocencyand then virtue. Dr. H. More.
SUPERSTRUCTIONSu`per*struc"tion, n.
1. The act of superstructing, or building upon.
2. That which id superstructed, or built upon some foundation; an edifice; a superstructure. My own profession hath taught me not to erect new superstructions upon an old ruin. Denham.
SUPERSTRUCTIVESu`per*struct"ive, a.
Defn: Built or erected on something else. Hammond.
SUPERSTRUCTORSu`per*struct"or, n.
Defn: One who builds a superstructure. [R.] R. North.
SUPERSTRUCTURESu`per*struc"ture, n. Etym: [Cf. F. superstructure.]
1. Any material structure or edifice built on something else; that which is raised on a foundation or basis; esp. (Arch.),
Defn: all that part of a building above the basement. Also usedfiguratively.You have added to your natural endowments the superstructure ofstudy. Dryden.
2. (Railway Engin.)
Defn: The sleepers, and fastenings, in distinction from the roadbed.
SUPERSUBSTANTIAL Su`per*sub*stan"tial, a. Etym: [Pref. super- + substantial: cf. F. supersubstantiel.]
Defn: More than substantial; spiritual. "The heavenly supersubstantial bread." Jer. Taylor.
SUPERSUBTLESu`per*sub"tle, a.
Defn: To subtle. Shak.
SUPERSULPHATESu`per*sul"phate, n. (Chem.)
Defn: An acid sulphate. [Obs.]
SUPERSULPHURETEDSu`per*sul"phu*ret`ed, a. (Chem.)
Defn: Supersulphurized. [Obs.] [Written also -sulphuretted.]
SUPERSULPHURIZESu`per*sul"phur*ize, v. t. (Chem.)
Defn: To impregnate or combine with an excess of sulphur.
SUPERTAXSu"per*tax`, n. [Super- + tax.]
Defn: A tax in addition to the usual or normal tax; specif., in the United Kingdom, an income tax of sixpence for every pound in addition to the normal income tax of one shilling and twopence for every pound, imposed, by the Finance Act of 1909-1910 (c. 8, ss 66, 72), on the amount by which the income of any person exceeds £3,000 when his total income exceeds £5,000.
SUPERTEMPORALSu`per*tem"po*ral, n.
Defn: That which is more than temporal; that which is eternal. [R.]
SUPERTERRANEANSu`per*ter*ra"ne*an, a.
Defn: Being above ground. "Superterranean quarries." Mrs. Trollope.
SUPERTERRENE Su`per*ter*rene", a. Etym: [Pref. super- + terrene: cf. L. superterrenus.]
Defn: Being above ground, or above the earth. [R.]
SUPERTERRESTRIALSu`per*ter*res"tri*al, a.
Defn: Being above the earth, or above what belongs to the earth.Buckminster.
SUPERTONICSu`per*ton"ic, n. (Mus.)
Defn: The note next above the keynote; the second of the scale.Busby.
SUPERTRAGICALSu`per*trag"ic*al, a.
Defn: Tragical to excess.
SUPERTUBERATIONSu`per*tu`ber*a"tion, n. Etym: [Pref. super- + tuber.] (Bot.)
Defn: The production of young tubers, as potatoes, from the old while still growing.
SUPERVACANEOUS Su`per*va*ca"ne*ous, a. Etym: [L. supervacaneus, supervacuus; super over + vacuus empty.]
Defn: Serving no purpose; superfluous; needless. [Obs.] Howell.
SUPERVENESu`per*vene", v. i. [imp. & p. p. Supervened; p. pr. & vb. n.Supervening.] Etym: [L. supervenire, superventum, to come over, tocome upon; super over + venire to come. See Super-, and Come, and cf.Overcome.]
Defn: To come as something additional or extraneous; to occur with reference or relation to something else; to happen upon or after something else; to be added; to take place; to happen. Such a mutual gravitation can never supervene to matter unless impressed by divine power. Bentley. A tyrany immediately supervened. Burke.
SUPERVENIENTSu`per*ven"ient, a. Etym: [L. superveniens, p.pr.]
Defn: Coming as something additional or extraneous; comingafterwards.That branch of belief was in him supervenient to Christian practice.Hammond.Divorces can be granted, a mensa et toro, only for supervenientcauses. Z. Swift.
SUPERVENTIONSu`per*ven"tion, n. Etym: [L. superventio.]
Defn: The act of supervening. Bp. Hall.
SUPERVISALSu`per*vis"al, n.
Defn: Supervision. Walpole.
SUPERVISESu`per*vise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supervised; p. pr. & vb. n.Supervising.] Etym: [Pref. super- + L. visere to look at attentively,to view, surely, intens. from videre, visum, to see. Cf. Survise, andSurvey.]
1. To oversee for direction; to superintend; to inspect with authority; as, to supervise the construction of a steam engine, or the printing of a book.
2. To look over so as to read; to peruse. [Obs.] Shak.
Syn.— See Superintend.
SUPERVISESu`per*vise", n.
Defn: Supervision; inspection. [Obs.]
SUPERVISIONSu`per*vi"sion, n.
Defn: The act of overseeing; inspection; superintendence; oversight.
SUPERVISIVESu`per*vi"sive, a.
Defn: Supervisory. [R.]
SUPERVISORSu`per*vis"or, n.
1. One who supervises; an overseer; an inspector; a superintendent; as, a supervisor of schools.
2. A spectator; a looker-on. [Obs.] Shak.
SUPERVISORYSu`per*vi"so*ry, a.
Defn: Of or pertaining to supervision; as, supervisory powers.
SUPERVIVESu`per*vive", v. t. Etym: [L. supervivere. See Survive.]
Defn: To survive; to outlive. [Obs.]
SUPERVOLUTE Su`per*vo*lute", a. Etym: [L. supervolutus, p.p. of supervolvere to roll over; super over + volvere to roll.] (Bot.)
Defn: Having a plainted and convolute arrangement in the bud, as in the morning-glory.
SUPINATION Su`pi*na"tion, n. Etym: [L. supinare, supinatum, to bend or lay backward, fr. supinus supine: cf. F. supination. See Supine.] (Physiol.) (a) The act of turning the hand palm upward; also, position of the hand with the palm upward. (b) The act or state of lying with the face upward. Opposed to Ant: pronation.
SUPINATORSu`pi*na"tor, n. Etym: [NL.] (Anat.)
Defn: A muscle which produces the motion of supination.
SUPINESu*pine", a. Etym: [L. supinus, akin to sub under, super above. Cf.Sub-, Super-.]
1. Lying on the back, or with the face upward; — opposed to prone.
2. Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined. If the vine On rising ground be placed, or hills supine. Dryden.
3. Negligent; heedless; indolent; listless. He became pusillanimous and supine, and openly exposed to any temptation. Woodward.
Syn.— Negligent; heedless; indolent; thoughtless; inattentive;listless; careless; drowsy.— Su*pine"ly, adv.— Su*pine"ness, n.
SUPINE Su"pine, n. Etym: [L. supinum (sc. verbum), from supinus bent or thrown backward, perhaps so called because, although furnished with substantive case endings, it rests or falls back, as it were, on the verb: cf. F. supin.] (Lat. Gram.)
Defn: A verbal noun; or (according to C.F.Becker), a case of the infinitive mood ending in -um and -u, that in -um being sometimes called the former supine, and that in -u the latter supine.
SUPINITYSu*pin"i*ty, n. Etym: [L. supinitas.]
Defn: Supineness. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
SUPPAGESup"page, n. Etym: [From Sup.]
Defn: What may be supped; pottage. [Obs.] Hooker.
SUPPALPATION Sup`pal*pa"tion, n. Etym: [L. suppalpari to caress a little; sub under, a little + palpare to caress.]
Defn: The act of enticing by soft words; enticement. [Obs.]
SUPPARASITATIONSup*par`a*si*ta"tion, n. Etym: [See Supparasite.]
Defn: The act of flattering to gain favor; servile approbation.[Obs.] Bp. Hall.
SUPPARASITE Sup*par"a*site, v. t. Etym: [L. supparasitari; sub under, a little + parasitus a parasite.]
Defn: To flatter; to cajole; to act the parasite. [Obs.] Dr. R.Clerke.
SUPPAWNSup*pawn", n.
Defn: See Supawn.
SUPPEDANEOUSSup`pe*da"ne*ous, a. Etym: [Pref. sub- + L. pes, pedis, a foot: cf.L. suppedaneum a footstool.]
Defn: Being under the feet. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne.
SUPPEDITATE Sup*ped"i*tate, v. t. Etym: [L. suppeditatus, p.p. of suppeditare to supply.]
Defn: To supply; to furnish. [Obs.] Hammond.
SUPPEDITATIONSup*ped`i*ta"tion, n. Etym: [L. suppeditatio.]
Defn: Supply; aid afforded. [Obs.] Bacon.
SUPPER Sup"per, n. Etym: [OE. soper, super, OF. super, soper, F. souper; originally an infinitive, to sup, take a meal. See Soup, and cf. Sup to take supper.]
Defn: A meal taken at the close of the day; the evening meal.
Note: Supper is much used in an obvious sense, either adjectively or as the first part of a compound; as, supper time or supper-time, supper bell, supper hour, etc.
SUPPERSup"per, v. i.
Defn: To take supper; to sup. [R.]
SUPPERSup"per, v. t.
Defn: To supply with supper. [R.] "Kester was suppering the horses."Mrs. Gaskell.
SUPPERLESSSup"per*less, a.
Defn: Having no supper; deprived of supper; as, to go supperless to bed. Beau. & Fl.
SUPPINGSup"ping, n.
1. The act of one who sups; the act of taking supper.
2. That which is supped; broth. [Obs.] Holland.
SUPPLACESup*place", v. t.
Defn: To replace. [R.] J. Bascom.
SUPPLANT Sup*plant", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Supplanting.] Etym: [F. supplanter, L. supplantare to trip up one's heels, to throw down; sub under + planta the sole of the foot, also, a sucker, slip, sprout. Cf. Plant, n.]
1. To trip up. [Obs.] "Supplanted, down he fell." Milton.
2. To remove or displace by stratagem; to displace and take the place of; to supersede; as, a rival supplants another in the favor of a mistress or a prince. Suspecting that the courtier had supplanted the friend. Bp. Fell.
3. To overthrow, undermine, or force away, in order to get a substitute in place of. You never will supplant the received ideas of God. Landor.
Syn.— To remove; displace; overpower; undermine; overthrow; supersede.
SUPPLANTATION Sup`plan*ta"tion, n. Etym: [Cf. F. supplantation, L. supplantatio hypocritical deceit.]
Defn: The act of supplanting or displacing.Habitual supplantation of immediate selfishness. Cloeridge.
SUPPLANTERSup*plan"ter, n.
Defn: One who supplants.
SUPPLE Sup"ple, a. Etym: [OE. souple, F. souple, from L. supplex suppliant, perhaps originally, being the knees. Cf. Supplicate.]
1. Pliant; flexible; easily bent; as, supple joints; supple fingers.
2. Yielding compliant; not obstinate; submissive to guidance; as, a supple horse. If punishment . . . makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender. Locke.
3. Bending to the humor of others; flattering; fawning; obsequious. Addison.
Syn. — Pliant; flexible; yielding; compliant; bending; flattering; fawning; soft.
SUPPLESup"ple, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Suppled; p. pr. & vb. n. Suppling.]
1. To make soft and pliant; to render flexible; as, to supple leather. The flesh therewith she suppled and did steep. Spenser.
2. To make compliant, submissive, or obedient.A mother persisting till she had bent her daughter's mind and suppledher will. Locke.They should supple our stiff willfulness. Barrow.
SUPPLESup"ple, v. i.
Defn: To become soft and pliant.The stones . . . Suppled into softness as they fell. Dryden.
SUPPLE-CHAPPEDSup"ple-chapped`, a.
Defn: Having a limber tongue. [R.] "A supple-chapped flatterer."Marston.
SUPPLE-JACK Sup"ple-jack`, n. (Bot.) (a) A climbing shrub (Berchemia volubilus) of the Southern United States, having a tough and pliable stem. (b) A somewhat similar tropical American plant (Paullinia Curassavica); also, a walking stick made from its stem. He was in form and spirit like a supple-jack, . . . yielding, but tough; though he bent, he never broke. W. Irving.
Note: This name is given to various plants of similar habit in different British colonies.
SUPPLELYSup"ple*ly, adv.
Defn: In a supple manner; softly; pliantly; mildly. Cotgrave.
SUPPLEMENT Sup"ple*ment, n. Etym: [F. supplément, L. supplementum, fr. supplere to fill up. See Supply, v. t.]
1. That which supplies a deficiency, or meets a want; a store; a supply. [Obs.] Chapman.
2. That which fills up, completes, or makes an addition to, something already organized, arranged, or set apart; specifically, a part added to, or issued as a continuation of, a book or paper, to make good its deficiencies or correct its errors.
3. (Trig.)
Defn: The number of degrees which, if added to a specified arc, make it 180°; the quantity by which an arc or an angle falls short of 180 degrees, or an arc falls short of a semicircle.
Syn. — Appendix. — Appendix, Supplement. An appendix is that which is appended to something, but is not essential to its completeness; a supplement is that which supplements, or serves to complete or make perfect, that to which it is added.
SUPPLEMENTSup"ple*ment, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplemented; p. pr. & vb. n.Supplementing.]
Defn: To fill up or supply by addition; to add something to. Causes of one kind must be supplemented by bringing to bear upon them a causation of another kind. I. Taylor.
SUPPLEMENTAL; SUPPLEMENTARYSup`ple*men"tal, Sup`ple*men"ta*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. supplémentaire.]
Defn: Added to supply what is wanted; additional; being, or serving as, a supplement; as, a supplemental law; a supplementary sheet or volume. Supplemental air (Physiol.), the air which in addition to the residual air remains in the lungs after ordinary expiration, but which, unlike the residual air, can be expelled; reserve air. — Supplemental bill (Equity), a bill filed in aid of an original bill to supply some deffect in the latter, or to set forth new facts which can not be done by amendment. Burrill. Daniel. — Supplementary chords (Math.), in an ellipse or hyperbola, any two chords drawn through the extremities of a diameter, and intersecting on the curve.
SUPPLEMENTATIONSup`ple*men*ta"tion, n.
Defn: The act of supplementing. C. Kingsley.
SUPPLENESSSup"ple*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being supple; flexibility; pliableness; pliancy.
SUPPLETIVE; SUPPLETORY Sup"ple*tive, Sup"ple*to*ry, a. Etym: [Cf. F. supplétif, LL. suppletivus, from L. supplere, suppletum, to fill up. See Supply.]
Defn: Supplying deficiencies; supplementary; as, a suppletory oath.
SUPPLETORYSup"ple*to*ry, n.; pl. Suppletories (.
Defn: That which is to supply what is wanted.Invent suppletories to excuse an evil man. Jer. Taylor.
SUPPLIALSup*pli"al, n.
Defn: The act of supplying; a supply. "The supplial of a preposition." Fitzed. Hall.
SUPPLIANCESup*pli"ance, n. Etym: [From Supply.]
Defn: That which supplies a want; assistance; a gratification;satisfaction. [R.]The perfume and suppliance of a minute. Shak.
SUPPLIANCESup*pli"ance, n. Etym: [See Suppliant.]
Defn: Supplication; entreaty.When Greece her knee in suppliance bent. Halleck.
SUPPLIANT Sup"pli*ant, a. Etym: [F., p.pr. of supplier to entreat, L. supplicare. See Supplicate, and cf. Supplicant.]
1. Asking earnestly and submissively; entreating; beseeching; supplicating. The rich grow suppliant, and the poor grow proud. Dryden.
2. Manifesting entreaty; expressive of supplication. To bow and sue for grace With suppliant knee. Milton.
Syn.— Entreating; beseeching; suing; begging; supplicating; imploring.— Sup"pli*ant*ly, adv.— Sup"pli*ant*ness, n.
SUPPLIANTSup"pli*ant, n.
Defn: One who supplicates; a humble petitioner; one who entreatssubmissively.Hear thy suppliant's prayer. Dryden.
SUPPLICANCYSup"pli*can*cy, n.
Defn: Supplication. [R.]
SUPPLICANTSup"pli*cant, a. Etym: [L. supplicans, p.pr. See Supplicate, and cf.Suppliant.]
Defn: Entreating; asking submissively. Shak.— Sup"pli*cant*ly, adv.
SUPPLICANTSup"pli*cant, n.
Defn: One who supplicates; a suppliant.The wise supplicant . . . left the event to God. Rogers.
SUPPLICATSup"pli*cat, n. Etym: [L., he supplicates.] (Eng. Universities)
Defn: A petition; esp., a written one, with a certificate that the conditions have been complied with.
SUPPLICATE Sup"pli*cate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Supplicated; p. pr. & vb. n. Supplicating.] Etym: [L. supplicatus, p.p. of supplicare to supplicate; of uncertain origin, cf. supplex, supplicis, humbly begging or entreating; perhaps fr. sub under + a word akin to placare to reconcile, appease (cf. Placable), or fr. sub under + plicare to fold, whence the idea of bending the knees (cf. Ply, v. t.). Cf. Supple.]
1. To entreat for; to seek by earnest prayer; to ask for earnestly and humbly; as, to supplicate blessings on Christian efforts to spread the gospel.
2. To address in prayer; to entreat as a supplicant; as, to supplicate the Deity.
Syn. — To beseech; entreat; beg; petition; implore; importune; solicit; crave. See Beseech.