Superstition

Superstition
Superstition Su`per*sti"tion, n. [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. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

And the truth With superstitions and traditions taint. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. The worship of a false god or gods; false religion; religious veneration for objects. [1913 Webster]

[The accusers] had certain questions against him of their own superstition. --Acts xxv. 19. [1913 Webster]

4. Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in magic, omens, prognostics, or the like. [1913 Webster]

5. Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Fanaticism.

Usage: {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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • SUPERSTITION — L’analyse historique des variations sémantiques du terme «superstition» confirme le jugement de Renan, qui voyait là un mot d’une clarté superficielle: utilisé pour désigner des croyances et des pratiques religieuses irrationnelles, il se révèle… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Superstition — (Latin superstitio , literally standing over ; derived perhaps from standing in awe; [cite book|title=Oxford English Dictionary|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford, England|date=1989|edition=Second] used in Latin as a unreasonable… …   Wikipedia

  • Superstition — • From supersisto, to stand in terror of the deity Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Superstition     Superstition     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Superstition — «Superstition» Sencillo de Stevie Wonder del álbum Talking book Publicación 1972 Formato 7 , 12 , vinyl, 45 RPM Grabación 1972 Género(s) …   Wikipedia Español

  • superstition — SUPERSTITION. s. f. Opinion vaine, mal fondée en fait de religion. Fausse confiance en de certaines paroles, en de certaines ceremonies, ausquelles s attachent les personnes foibles & simples. Le peuple est sujet à beaucoup de superstitions. la… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • superstition — Superstition, Superstitio. Superstition espanduë, Fusa per gentes superstitio. Estre delivré de superstition, Leuari superstitione …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • superstition — early 13c., from O.Fr. superstition or directly from L. superstitionem (nom. superstitio), noun of action from superstare (see SUPERSTITIOUS (Cf. superstitious)). Originally especially of religion; sense of unreasonable notion is from 1794 …   Etymology dictionary

  • superstition — [so͞o΄pər stish′ən] n. [ME supersticion < MFr < L superstitio, excessive fear of the gods, superstition, orig., a standing still over < superstare, to stand over < super ,SUPER + stare, to STAND] 1. any belief, based on fear or… …   English World dictionary

  • Superstition — (v. lat.), Aber , Irrglaube. Nach römischem Sinne war S. die Abweichung von dem vaterländischen, recipirten Cultus zu fremden, im Staate nicht anerkannten Göttern. Daher Superstitiös, abergläubisch …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Superstition — (lat.), Aberglaube; superstitiös, abergläubisch …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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