- Super-
- Super- 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.
[1913 Webster]
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 It has been superseded by per-, bi-, di-, acid, etc.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-}. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.