a. [ad. late L. superciliōsus, f. supercilium: see SUPERCILIUM and -OUS. Cf. F. sourcilleux.]
1. Haughtily contemptuous in character or demeanor; having or marked by an air of contemptuous superiority or disdain.
a. 1529. [implied in SUPERCILIOUSLY].
1614. Purchas, Pilgrimage, II. viii. (ed. 2), 137. There was small reckoning had of the Galilæans by their supercilious and superstitious brethren of Iudæa.
1638. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (ed. 2), 19. Let me advise our Men to … not contemne them from their indefensive nakednesse, or by a supercilious conceit of their owne weapons and field practises.
1771. Smollett, Humphry Cl., 26 June. His mother eyed me in silence with a supercilious air.
1799. J. Robertson, Agric. Perth, 38. The supercilious landlord, who, with an air of disdain, keeps his tenants at a distance.
1845. Disraeli, Sybil, V. vi. Sybil had made the enquiry and received only a supercilious stare from the shopman.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., I. ii. Smiling at her ironically, and taking the air of a supercilious mentor.
† 2. ‘Dictatorial, arbitrary, despotic, overbearing’ (J.), exacting or severe in judgment, censorious.
1598. B. Jonson, Ev. Man in Hum., Ded. to Camden. There are, no doubt, a supercilious race in the world who will esteeme all office, done you in this kind, an injurie.
1616. Chapman, trans. Homer’s Wks., Concl. Verses, 27. To see our supercilious wizerds frowne.
1625. B. Jonson, Staple of N., IV. i. Fit. I ha’ mark’d him all this meale, he has done nothing But mocke, with scuruy faces, all wee said. Alm. A supercilious Rogue!
1644. Milton, Divorce, To Parl. Eng. A 3 b. In the Gospel we shall read a supercilious crew of masters, whose holinesse … was to set straiter limits to obedience, then God had set.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 96. This … was neither more nor less than trading and bartering, though from supercilious punctilio, we had in a manner been denied it.
1758. Johnson, Idler, No. 12, ¶ 2. Hopeless as the claim of vulgar characters may appear to the supercilious and severe.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, an. 1745. His pamphlet … was fortunate enough to obtain the approbation even of the supercilious Warburton himself.
† 3. a. Pertaining to the eyebrows. Obs. rare–0.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Supercilious … pertaining to the eyebrowes.
1658. Phillips, Supercilious,… having great eyebrows.
† b. Zool. In names of various animals distinguished by a conspicuous stripe, process, etc., over the eye: rendering L. superciliosus or superciliaris of the systematic name. Obs.
1782. Latham, Gen. Synopsis Birds, I. II. 643. Alcedo superciliosa … Supercilious K[ingfisher]…. From the bill, over the eyes, passes a narrow orange stripe. Ibid., 673. Merops superciliosus … Supercilious B[ee-eater].
1802. Shaw, Gen. Zool., III. I. 220. Supercilious Lizard. Lacerta Superciliosa.… This Lizard … having … the appearance of a pair of sharp-pointed, horn-like processes above and beyond each eye. Ibid. (1803), IV. I. 169. Supercilious Blenny. Blennius Superciliosus … immediately over each eye is situated a small palmated crest or appendage.
1824. Stephens, Shaw’s Gen. Zool., XII. I. 266. Supercilious Jacana (Parra superciliosa) … Dark shining green Jacana, with white superciliary lines.
