Etymology dictionary
summum bonam (n.) — superiority (n.)
summum bonam (n.)
"chief or supreme good," 1560s, Latin, literally "highest good" (in ethics), from Cicero; see summit, bene-. Plural summa bona. "[P]roperly a term of Ethics; and often transf. and in trivial or jocular use" [OED].
sumo (n.)
Japanese form of wrestling, 1880, from Japanese sumo "to compete."
sump (n.)
mid-15c., sompe, "marsh, morass" (mid-13c. in place names), from Middle Dutch somp or Middle Low German sump, from Proto-Germanic *sumpaz, from PIE *swombho- "spongy."
The meaning "pit to collect water" is attested by 1650s in mining; 1670s in salt-making. Sump-pump (1884) originally was in mining.
sumpter (n.)
c. 1300, sompter, "driver of a pack horse," from Old French sommetier "pack-horse driver," from Vulgar Latin *sagmatarius "a pack horse driver," from Late Latin sagmat- "a pack, burden," stem of sagma "packsaddle," a borrowing of Greek sagma "coat, cloak; packsaddle."
The Greek word is related to saktas "bag, pouch," saktos "crammed," from sattein "to stuff compress, pack, load, equip," from a PIE *tuenk- (Beekes gives as cognates Old High German dwingan "compress, coerce," Lithuanian tvenki "to dam up").
Used from mid-15c. of horses and mules for carrying loads.
sumptuary (adj.)
"pertaining to expenditure or expense," c. 1600, from Latin sumptuarius "relating to expenses," from sumptus "expense, cost," from sumere "to borrow, buy, spend, eat, drink, consume, employ, take, take up," contraction of *sub-emere, from sub "under" (see sub-) + emere "to take, buy" (from PIE root *em- "to take, distribute"). Sumptuary laws are those which regulate expenditure, with an eye to restraining excess in food, dress, etc.
sumptuous (adj.)
late 15c., "costly, expensive; luxurious, magnificent," from Old French sumptueux or directly from Latin sumptuosus "costly, very expensive; lavish, wasteful," from sumptus, past participle of sumere "to borrow, buy, spend, eat, drink, consume, employ, take, take up," contraction of *sub-emere, from sub "under" (see sub-) + emere "to take, buy" (from PIE root *em- "to take, distribute").
Related: Sumptuously; sumptuousness. Also as a noun, sumptuosity "lavishness in expenditure, costliness or magnificence in living" (1550s, from Late Latin sumptuositas). Chapman (1616) used sumpture.
sun (n.)
"the sun as a heavenly body or planet; daylight; the rays of the sun, sunlight," also the sun as a god or object of worship; Middle English sonne, from Old English sunne "the sun," from Proto-Germanic *sunno (source also of Old Norse, Old Saxon, Old High German sunna, Middle Dutch sonne, Dutch zon, German Sonne, Gothic sunno "the sun"), from PIE *s(u)wen-, an alternative form of root *sawel- "the sun."
Old English sunne was fem. (as generally in Germanic), and the fem. pronoun was used in English until 16c.; since then masc. has prevailed, "without necessarily implying personification" [OED].
Under the sun for "anywhere in the world" is by c. 1200 (late Old English had under sunnan). The empire on which the sun never sets (1630) originally was the Spanish, later the British. To have one's place in the sun (1680s) is first in English in a translation of Pascal's "Pensées"; the German imperial foreign policy sense (1897) is from a speech by von Bülow. When the sun is over the foreyard is "noon" at sea, the traditional time of the first serving of the day's first drink.
sun (v.)
mid-15c., "set something in the sunlight, expose to the sun's rays," from sun (n.). Intransitive meaning "expose oneself to the sun, bask in the sun" is recorded from c. 1600.
sun-bathing (n.)
"exposure of the naked body to the direct rays of the sun," originally for therapeutic purposes, c. 1600, from sun (n. ) + bathing (n.). Sun-bath (n.) is by 1866. Related: Sun-bather.
sunbeam (n.)
also sun-beam, "a ray of the sun," Middle English sonne-bem, from Old English sunnebeam; see sun (n.) + beam (n.). As "cheerful person" from 1886.
Sunbelt (n.)
1969, in reference to the row of states across the Southern U.S., from sun (n.) + belt (n.).
sun-bonnet (n.)
also sunbonnet, type of light bonnet projecting in front to protect the face and having a flounce to protect the neck, 1837, from sun (n.) + bonnet (n.).
sunburn (v.)
1520s, "discolor or scorch (the skin) by the sun," from sun (n.) + burn (v.).
As a noun, "condition of being discolored or scorched by the sun," from 1650s; earlier was sonne-brenninge (late 14c.). As an adjective, "discolored by exposure to the sun," sunburnt (c. 1400) is older than sunburned (c. 1500, sunne y-brent), "dried by the heat of the sun" (of bricks).
sunburst (n.)
"strong outburst of sunlight; a sudden shining of the sun from behind a cloud," 1816, from sun (n.) + burst (n.).
sundae (n.)
vanilla ice-cream dish usually topped with flavored syrup, whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry; 1897, American English, thought to be an alteration of Sunday, which was used in reference to ice cream dishes by 1892 in American English.
Perhaps the word was re-spelled in deference to religious feelings; but the reason for the name is uncertain; on one theory "ice cream left over from Sunday, on sale later," or in reference to an after-church treat. For early speculations, see Mencken, "The American Language," Supplement I (1945).
Sunday (n.)
first day of the week, the Lord's Day, Middle English son-dai, from Old English sunnandæg (Northumbrian sunnadæg), "day of the sun," from sunnan, oblique case of sunne "sun" (see sun (n.)) + dæg "day" (see day).
A Germanic loan-translation of Latin dies solis "day of the sun," which is itself a loan-translation of Greek hēmera heliou. Compare Old Saxon sunnun dag, Old Frisian sunnandei, Old Norse sunnundagr, Dutch zondag, German Sonntag "Sunday."
In European Christian cultures outside Germanic, the day-name often means "the Lord's Day" (Latin Dominica). Ascription of the sun to the first day of the week is ancient and astrological.
Sunday-school dates from 1783, originally for secular instruction of working children, later for religious instruction; by 1843 it was figurative of sentimental sanctimoniousness.
Sunday clothes, "one's best (or clean) clothes" is from 1640s; elaborated U.S. form Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes is by 1831; Sunday best in this sense is by 1844 (Sunday's best is by 1794).
Sunday driver is from 1925, with the notion of one who drives only to church and back, thus "unpracticed, unskilled driver." For month of Sundays, see month.
sun-dance (n.)
ceremony in honor of the sun by certain Native American peoples, 1849, from sun (n.) + dance (n.).
sunder (v.)
Middle English sonderen, "separate (two or more things) from each other," from Old English sundrian, syndrian "to divide, disunite in any manner." This is from the adjective and adverb sundor "separately, apart," which is from Proto-Germanic *sunder (source also of Old Norse sundr, Old Frisian sunder, Old High German suntar "aside, apart;" German sondern "to separate").
This is from PIE root *sen(e)- "apart, separated" (source also of Sanskrit sanutar "away, aside," Avestan hanare "without," Greek ater "without," Latin sine "without," Old Church Slavonic svene "without," Old Irish sain "different").
The adjective survived in Middle English only in compounds, and is preserved in asunder. Related: Sundered; sundering; sunderment.
sun-dial (n.)
also sundial, "instrument for indicating the time of day by means of a shadow on a diagram," 1590s, from sun (n.) + dial (n.). Earlier it was simply a dial.
sundog (n.)
also sun-dog, "mock sun, parhelion," 1650s, from sun (n.); the second element is of obscure origin.
sundown (n.)
also sun-down, "sunset, sun-setting," 1610s, from sun (n.) + down (adv.). OED suggests perhaps a shortening of sun-go-down (1590s). Compare sunset.
sun-dress (n.)
also sundress, type of dress "affording maximum access to the sun" [OED], 1937 in advertisements, from sun (n.) + dress (n.). Earlier was sun-back dress (by 1929).
sundries (n.)
"various small things," 1755, plural of sundry (adj.) used as a noun. "[A] comprehensive term used for brevity, especially in accounts" [Century Dictionary].
sundry (adj.)
Middle English sondri, from Old English syndrig "separate, apart, special, distinct, characteristic," all now obsolete or dialectal; from sundor "separately, apart, asunder" (see sunder) + -y (2). Compare Old High German suntaric, Swedish söndrig "broken, tattered." The meaning "several, various" is attested from late 14c.
As a noun, from mid-13c. with the sense "various ones." Phrase all and sundry "every one of all classes" is from late 14c.
sun-dried (adj.)
"dried in the rays of the sun," 1630s in reference to vegetable matter, from sun (n.) + past-participle adjective from dry (v.). Sun-dry (v.) is from 1690s and appears to be a back-formation.
sunfish (n.)
also sun-fish, 1620s, from sun (n.) + fish (n.). A common name for various species of fish, with reference to round shape or brilliant appearance or lounging in the sun. Thus it is applied alike to the titanic mola and basking shark of the depths and to the little pumpkinseed sunnies of eastern U.S. ponds. Short form sunny is attested from 1835.
sunflower (n.)
1560s, "heliotrope, any sun-following flower," from sun (n.) + flower (n.). In reference to the Helianthus, the flowering plant of central North America (introduced to Europe 1510 by the Spaniards), it is attested from 1590s, so called from the appearance of the heads. Kansas has been the Sunflower State since 1881.
sung (adj.)
"uttered musically," 1520s, past-participle adjective from sing (v.).
sunglasses (n.)
glasses with darkened lenses to protect one's eyes while observing the sun, also sun-glasses, 1878, from sun (n.) + glasses. In popular (non-astronomy) use from 1916. Earlier sunglass (1804) meant a burning glass.
sunk (adj.)
1680s, "lowered in character, degraded," past-participle adjective from sink (v.). Of spirits, by 1719. OED notes it "tends to be restricted to senses implying deliberate human agency" (compare sunken).
sunken (adj.)
late 14c., "situated below the general surface of the water," alternative past-participle adjective from sink (v.). Of "hollow" eyes or cheeks, from c. 1600.
sun-lamp (n.)
"electric light designed to emit light like that of the sun," 1885, from sun (n.) + lamp (n.).
sunless (adj.)
"destitute of the sun or out of reach of its rays," 1580s, from sun (n.) + -less.
sunlight (n.)
"the light or brightness of the sun," c. 1200, sonnelight, from sun (n.) + light (n.). Compare Dutch zonlicht, German sonnenlicht.
sunlit (adj.)
"lighted by the sun," 1822, from sun (n.) + lit (adj.).
sunny (adj.)
"full of sun; like the sun, dazzling," early 14c., from sun (n.) + -y (2). Compare Dutch zonnig, German sonnig.
The figurative sense of "cheerful" is attested from 1540s. Sunny side in reference to optimistic outlook is from 1831.
Eggs sunny side up is attested by 1887 in lunch counter slang, in reference to appearance when served.
Related: Sunnily; sunniness. As a noun, a familiar name for a sunfish, by 1835.
Sunni (n.)
1620s, from Arabic, "adherent of the Sunnah; Muslim who accepts the orthodox tradition as well as the Quran," from Sunna "traditional teachings of Muhammad" (not, like the Quran, committed to writing, but preserved from his lips by his disciples or founded on his actions), literally "way, custom, course, tradition, usage." Related: Sunnite; Sunnism.
sunrise (n.)
"first appearance of the sun above the horizon," mid-15c., from sun (n.) + rise (v.); perhaps it evolved from a Middle English subjunctive, such as before the sun rise. Earlier in same sense were sunrist (mid-14c.); sunrising (mid-13c.). Compare sunset. Figuratively, "the east."
sunroof (n.)
also sun-roof, in reference to an automobile, by 1957, from sun (n.) + roof (n.). Originally on European models.
sun-room (n.)
also sunroom, "room used for sunbathing," 1907, from sun (n.) + room (n.).
sunscreen (n.)
also sun-screen, 1738 as an object to block the sun's rays, from sun (n.) + screen (n.). As a type of lotion applied to the skin, by 1954.
sunset (n.)
"apparent descent of the sun below the horizon in evening," late 14c., from sun (n.) + set (v.). Perhaps a shortening of sun-setting, or perhaps taken from a Middle English subjunctive such as before the sun set. Old English had sunnansetlgong "sunset," while sunset meant "west."
Figurative use from c. 1600. To ride off into the sunset (1963) is from a stereotypical ending of Westerns or romance films.
sunshade (n.)
"something used as protection from the rays of the sun," 1842 as "parasol," by 1851 as a type of awning on a building; from sun (n.) + shade (n.). Old English had sunsceadu "veil."
sunshine (n.)
mid-13c., sonne-shine, "the shining of the sun; fair weather," from sun (n.) + shine (n.). Old English had sunnanscina "sunshine;" while sunscin meant "a mirror, speculum."
Figurative of brightness, cheerfulness, beneficial influence (late 16c.). The meaning "happy person who brightens the lives of others" is from 1942. Related: Sunshiny.
Sunshine law in reference to U.S. open-meeting legislation is recorded from 1972, from the notion of shining the light of public access on deliberations formerly behind closed doors.
In U.S., the Sunshine State typically is Florida, but first to claim the title as a pet-name was New Mexico (though not a state at the time), in 1890, as a promotional effort by Gov. L. Bradford Prince. From 1897, South Dakota used the nickname, based on the amount of annual sunlight there, and the state legislature made it official and editorial voices defended it (from Chicago editors who called it the singed-cat state). In both the state and the territory the name seems to have been purely local. North Dakota voices made an abortive attempt to capture the name from its southern neighbor in 1917, based on closer analysis of weather records.
California promoters had been using it from 1895, and Florida newspapers were using it by 1904. The explosive growth of Florida tourism in the 1920s seems to have fixed the nickname on that state in the popular mind.
sunspot (n.)
also sun-spot, 1849, in astronomy, "dark patch visible on the surface of the sun," from sun (n.) + spot (n.). Earlier "a spot on the skin caused by exposure to the sun" (1818).
sun-star (n.)
name for a starfish with many rays, 1843, from sun (n.) + shortening of starfish.
sunstroke (n.)
"acute prostration from excessive heat of weather," 1851; earlier stroke of the sun (1807), from sun (n.) + stroke (n.); translating French coup de soleil. Related: Sun-stricken (1844); sunstruck (1839).
sun-tan (v.)
also suntan, "expose oneself to the sun," 1821 (implied in sun-tanned), from sun (n.) + tan (v.). Related: Sun-tanning.
As a noun, "browning of the skin caused by exposure to the sun," from 1888. As a commercial name for a light-brown color, by 1937. Sun-tan oil is attested by 1934.
Originally an indication of outdoor laboring (in Shakespeare the verb could mean "deprive of the freshness and beauty of youth"), after 1920s sun-tanning was considered as an enhancement to beauty or evidence of wealthy idleness: F.L. Allen, chronicler of the decade ["Only Yesterday"], notes 1929 as the year that "on the sands of a thousand American beaches, girls pulled down the shoulder-straps of their bathing suits to acquire fashionably tanned backs ...."
sun-up (n.)
also sunup, "sunrise," 1712, from sun (n.) + up (adv.). In local use in U.S., and, according to OED, also used in Caribbean English and formerly in South African.
sun-wake (n.)
"rays of the setting sun reflected on water," 1891, from sun (n.) + wake (n.). A sailors' tradition says a narrow wake means good weather the following day and bad weather follows a broad wake.
sunwise (adv.)
"in the direction of the sun's apparent motion," 1865, from sun (n.) + wise (n.). Earlier was sunways (1774).
sun-worship (n.)
"heliolatry, adoration of the sun as the symbol of the deity," 1670s, from sun (n.) + worship (n.). Related: Sun-worshipper (1670s in the religious sense; 1941 as "devotee of sun-tanning"); sun-worshipping (1610s).
sup (v.2)
"to sip, to take into the mouth with the lips, drink or swallow with small mouthfuls," Middle English soupen, from Old English supan (West Saxon), suppan, supian (Northumbrian) "sip, taste, drink, swallow" (strong verb, past tense seap, past participle sopen).
This is from Proto-Germanic *supanan (source also of Old Norse supa "to sip, drink," Middle Low German supen, Dutch zuipen "to drink, tipple," Old High German sufan, German saufen "to drink, booze"). The Germanic word is from PIE *sub-, possibly [Watkins] an extended form of the root *seue- (2) "to take liquid" (source also of Sanskrit sunoti "presses out juice," soma; Avestan haoma, Persian hom "juice;" Greek huetos "rain," huein "to rain;" Latin sugere "to suck," succus "juice, sap;" Lithuanian sula "flowing sap;" Old Church Slavonic soku "sap," susati "suck;" Middle Irish suth "sap;" Old English seaw "sap").
If this is correct, the two verbs sup are cognates out of Germanic, the other one via French. The noun meaning "a small quantity of liquid" is by 1560s.
sup (v.1)
"eat the evening meal," c. 1300, soupen, from Old French super, soper "dine, sup, dip bread in soup or wine, sop up" (Modern French souper), which probably is from soupe "broth" (see soup (n.)), until recently still the traditional evening meal of French workers. Compare sup (v.2).
In the Bible, "take the principal meal of the day" (a late dinner). Often especially of a meal in company; in Middle English often figurative of spiritual communion or heavenly life after death, with senses influenced by the Last Supper.
sup-
assimilated form of sub- before -p-.
super (n.)
colloquial shortening of various words in super-; by 1838 as a shortening of supernumerary (actor); by 1857 as superintendent (especially at first in reference to overseers of sheep ranches in Australia). By 1965 as a popular name for high-octane gasoline.
super-
word-forming element of Latin origin meaning "above, over" in place or position; also in manner, degree, or measure, "over, beyond;" from Latin super (adverb and preposition) "above, over, on the top (of), beyond, besides, in addition to." This is from *(s)uper-, variant form of PIE root *uper "over."
In English words from Old French, it appears as sur-. Most of the Latin compounds in it are post-classical; it has been a living element in English since 15c. In Medieval Latin and Romanic languages it can be confused with related supra-, and some English words exist in both forms.
In 17c., when many English compounds in super- were coined in religious and spiritual writing, the notion in it was "beyond; not partaking of." Hence superordinary "excellent, better than what is common or usual" (1620s); supersensual "above or beyond the senses, imperceptible to human sense" (1680s); super-rational "that is above or beyond the scope of reason" (1680s).
But it also was used in the sciences in the sense of "in or to the highest or a very high degree," and has come to be felt popularly as "in an exaggerated degree, very much," as in supersensitive "extremely sensitive" (1839); supercool "very fashionable" (1970), which runs contrary to the old sense. Hence supersexual, attested by 1895 as "transcending sexuality; 'platonic' " and by 1968 as "sexual in an extreme degree." Also compare superhuman, which in the 1630s meant "divine, above or beyond what is human," but, by c. 1800, also, and typically since, meant "above the powers or nature of man."
super (adj.)
"first-rate, excellent," 1837, from the prefix, especially in superfine, denoting the highest grade of any goods (the prefix is from Latin super "above, over, beyond;" see super-).
Extended use as a general term of approval is by 1895 in slang, revived by 1967. Rhyming reduplication form super-duper is attested by 1940. Super Bowl is attested from 1966; Super Glue from 1975; as a verb by 1983.
superable (adj.)
"surmountable, capable of being overcome or conquered," 1620s, from Latin superabilis "that may be overcome," from superare "to overcome, surmount, go over, rise above," from super "over" (from PIE root *uper "over") + -abilis (see -able). The negative formation insuperable is older and more common and superable may be a back-formation from it. Related: Superably.
superabundance (n.)
early 15c., superaboundaunce, "a great quantity, an excess," from Old French superabondance and directly from Late Latin superabundantia, from present-participle stem of Latin superabundare, from super (see super-) + abundare (see abound). Related: Superabound "abound above or beyond measure" (c. 1400); superabundant; superabundancy; superabundantly.
superannuated (adj.)
1630s, "obsolete, out of date;" 1740, "retired on account of old age," from Modern Latin superannuatus, alteration (perhaps by influence of annual) of Medieval Latin superannatus (which meant "more than a year old" and was used of cattle), from Latin super "beyond, over" (see super-) + annus "year" (see annual (adj.)).
Earlier in the same adjectival sense was superannate (c. 1600), from Medieval Latin superannatus. Compare French suranner.
superannuation (n.)
"disqualification on account of old age," 1650s, noun of action from superannuate. Especially "state of being removed from an office, etc., and put on an allowance or pension after long service."
superannuate (v.)
1640s, "render obsolete, set aside as too old," apparently a back-formation from superannuated. The meaning "impair or disqualify by old age" is from 1690s. Related: Superannuating.
superb (adj.)
1540s, "noble, magnificent" (of buildings, etc.), from Latin superbus "grand, proud, splendid; haughty, vain, insolent," from super "above, over" (from PIE root *uper "over"). The second element perhaps is from PIE root *bheue- "to be."
The general, colloquial sense of "very fine" developed by 1729. It has been used in names of plants and animals since 1760, denoting gorgeous coloring. Related: Superbious (c. 1500); superbly.
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
a mock-Latin nonsense word popularized by the song in the 1964 Disney movie version of "Mary Poppins;" it was the subject of a lawsuit based on similarity to the earlier song title "Supercalafajalistickexpialadojus" (1949), but other versions of the word also were in circulation.
supercede (v.)
see supersede. Related: Superceded; superceding.
supercharge (v.)
1919 of internal combustion engines, from super- + charge (v.). Earlier generally, "charge or fill to excess" (1876). Related: Supercharged (1876); supercharger; supercharging.
supercilious (adj.)
1520s, "lofty with pride, haughtily contemptuous," from Latin superciliosus "haughty, arrogant," from supercilium "haughty demeanor, pride," literally "eyebrow" (via notion of raising the eyebrow to express haughtiness), from super "above" (see super-) + second element akin to cilium "eyelid," related to celare "to cover, hide" (from PIE root *kel- (1) "to cover, conceal, save"). Related: Superciliously; superciliousness; superciliosity.
superciliary (adj.)
1732, "situated over the eyelid," as the eyebrow is, from Modern Latin superciliaris, from supercilium "eyebrow" (see supercilious).
supercilium (n.)
1670s, "the eyebrow," from Latin supercilium "an eyebrow; a ridge, summit;" figuratively "haughtiness, arrogance, pride" (see supercilious). Also with specific senses in architecture, anatomy, etc., on resemblance to the brows.
superclass (n.)
also super-class, "a group embracing two or more classes," by 1889, from super- + class (n.).
supercluster (n.)
also super-cluster, in astronomy, "a cluster of clusters," 1939, from super- + cluster.
supercomputer (n.)
"computer that performs at a much higher level than most others," 1966, from super-, here as "markedly surpassing previous" + computer.
superconductor (n.)
1913, a translation of Dutch suprageleider, coined by Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes. See super- + conductor. Related: Superconductivity (1913).
supercontinent (n.)
by 1963 in geology, from super- + continent (n.).
super-cooling (n.)
also supercooling, "a lowering of the temperature of a liquid past the freezing point without solidification occurring," 1898, from super- + cooling (n.), for which see cool (v.). Related: Super-cooled.
super-ego (n.)
also superego, "that part of the psyche which controls the impulses of the id," 1924, as a translation of German über-Ich; see super- and ego.
supererogate (v.)
"do more than duty requires," 1590s, from Late Latin supererogatus, past participle of supererogare "pay out over and above" (see supererogation). Related: Supererogated; supererogating.
supererogation (n.)
c. 1500, "performance of more than duty requires," in Catholic theology, from Late Latin supererogationem (nominative supererogatio) "a payment in addition," noun of action from past-participle stem of supererogare "pay or do additionally."
This is from Latin super "above, over" (see super-) + erogare "pay out," which is a compound of ex "out" (see ex-) + rogare "ask, request," which is said to be probably from PIE root *reg- "move in a straight line," on the notion of "request" as "direct oneself toward" (someone) or perhaps "stretch out the arms or hand in begging."
The accumulated surplus good deeds were considered an inexhaustible fund "on which the pope has the power of drawing at pleasure for the relief of the Church by the application of some portion this superabundant merit to meet a deficiency in the spiritual worth of any of its members" [Hook, "Church Dictionary," 1854]. This became the basis for the unpopular indulgences that offended the early Protestants.
supererogatory (adj.)
"performed to an extent not required by duty," 1590s, from Medieval Latin supererogatorius, from supererogat-, stem of supererogare "pay or do additionally" (see supererogation). Alternative supererogative also is from 1590s.
superfamily (n.)
also super-family, 1872, in biological classification, "a family embracing two or more families," from super- + family (n.).
superficial (adj.)
late 14c., in anatomy, "on or at the surface of the skin, external, not deep-seated," from Old French superficial, superficiel and directly from Late Latin superficialis "of or pertaining to a surface," from superficies "surface, upper side, top," from super "above, over" (see super-) + facies "form, face" (see face (n.); also compare surface (n.)).
The meaning "without thorough understanding, cursory, comprehending only what is apparent or obvious" (of perceptions, thoughts, etc.) is attested from early 15c. (implied in superficially "not thoroughly") on the notion of not concerned with or penetrating below the surface.
As a noun, Middle English had superficie "an outer service or exterior" (late 14c. in geometry, early 15c. in anatomy), also superfice, used by Chaucer, rare after c. 1700 but geometry has kept superfices.
superficiality (n.)
1520s, "quality of being at or near the surface," also "want of depth or thoroughness," from superficial + -ity. Earlier was superficialty (c. 1400) "surface, surface area, extent."
superfine (adj.)
also super-fine, 1570s, "very fine, most fine; excessively nice," from super- + fine (adj.). In reference to manufactured goods from 1680s.
superfly (adj.)
"excellent, superior," 1971, originally African-American vernacular, from super- + slang sense of fly (adj.).
superfluous (adj.)
"that exceeds what is necessary or normal," early 15c., from Latin superfluus "unnecessary," literally "overflowing, running over," from superfluere "to overflow," from super "over" (see super-) + fluere "to flow" (see fluent). The earlier form was superflue (late 14c.), from Old French. Related: Superfluously; superfluousness; superfluent; superfluence.
superfluity (n.)
late 14c., superfluitie, "an excess in number or quantity, condition of having more than enough; extravagance, immoderation," from Old French superfluite "excess" (12c.), from Medieval Latin superfluitatem (nominative superfluitas), from superfluus (see superfluous). In physics, "the property of flowing without viscosity or friction" (1938).
supergiant (n.)
"very large star," more radiant than a giant star of the same class, 1927, from super- + giant (n.). As a generic adjective meaning "very large," by 1977.
supergroup (n.)
also super-group, "an assemblage embracing two or more groups," 1943, from super- + group (n.). In reference to rock music by 1970.
superheat (v.)
1827 (implied in superheated) "to heat to a very high degree," specifically of steam until it resembles a perfect gas, from super- + heat (v.). Related: Superheating.
superhero (n.)
1908 (in a translation of Nietzsche), from super- + hero. Used in 1930 of Tarzan; modern use is from 1960s.
superheroine (n.)
also super-heroine, fem. of superhero; see heroine. Attested by 1931 in reference to a novel plot's heroine; by 1939 of Mrs. Edna Watson, credited with saving lives in an airline crash at sea; by 1940 in newspaper advertisements for a comic strip, "Invisible Scarlet O'Neil."
superhighway (n.)
"limited-access multi-lane roadway for high-speed traffic," 1921, from super- "markedly surpassing previous" + highway.
superhuman (adj.)
also super-human, "above or beyond what is human," 1630s, from Medieval Latin superhumanus; see super- + human (adj.). In early use often "divine;" by c. 1800 also, and typically since, "above the powers or nature of man." Related: Superhumanly; superhumanness.
superimpose (v.)
"lay or impose on something else," 1787, a back-formation from superimposition (1680s), or coined from super- + impose. Compare Latin superimponere "to put upon, place over, place above." Related: Superimposed; superimposing; superimposition.
superintendent (n.)
1550s, originally an ecclesiastical word meaning "bishop" or "minister who supervises churches within a district" (ultimately a loan-translation of Greek episkopos "overseer"), from Medieval Latin superintendentem (nominative superintendens), present participle of Late Latin superintendere "oversee," from Latin super "above" (see super-) + intendere "turn one's attention to, direct" (see intend).
Famously used by 16c. radical Protestants in place of bishop, which to them was tainted by Papacy.
The general sense of "a person who has charge of some business" is recorded by 1580s. The meaning "janitor, custodian" is from c. 1935.
As an adjective meaning "superintending," from 1590s.
superintend (v.)
"to have charge and direction of" (a school, etc.), 1610s, from Church Latin superintendere "to oversee" (see superintendent). Related: Superintended; superintending.
superintendence (n.)
"act of superintending," c. 1600; see superintendent + -ence, or from Latin superintendens. Related: Superintendency (1590s).
superior (n.)
early 15c., "one higher in rank or more powerful than another," from Latin superior (see superior (adj.)), which was used in Medieval Latin with a noun sense of "one higher in rank or dignity." Fem. form superioress is by 1670s. As "person of higher quality than another," by 1630s. Related: Superiors.
superior (adj.)
late 14c., "higher in position," from Old French superior "higher, upper" (Modern French superieur), from Latin superiorem (nominative superior) "higher," comparative of superus "situated above, upper," from super "above, over" (from PIE root *uper "over").
The meaning "higher in rank or dignity" is attested from late 15c.; the sense of "of a higher nature or character" is attested from 1530s. In old names of lands, "more northern" (late 14c.), but also sometimes in reference to higher elevation (Germany), from Latin uses of superior.
The original sense was preserved more strongly in French (as in les étages supérieur "the upper stories"), and in Lake Superior, a loan-translation of French Lac Supérieur, literally "upper lake" (at 600 feet above sea-level it has the highest surface elevation of the five Great Lakes and is the furthest north).
superiority (n.)
late 15c., superiorite, "state of being higher in rank, status, degree," from superior (adj.) + -ity, or from Old French superiorite or directly from Medieval Latin superioritatem (nominative superioritas), from superior.
The oldest sense is now rare or archaic. The meaning "supremacy, condition of prevailing over" is by 1540s; that of "quality of being higher or greater than" something else, in some way, is by 1690s.