a. (sb.) Also 5–7 -ficiall, (5 -ficialle, -fyciall, 6 -fi-, -fycyall, -fytial, -fyxcyall). [ad. late L. superficiālis, f. SUPERFICIES: See -AL. Cf. F. superficiel, It. superficiale, Sp., Pg. superficial.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the surface; that is, lies, or is found at or on the surface; constituting the surface, outermost part, or crust.
Sometimes spec. in Geol., etc. = pertaining to the surface of the earth, as deposits; not belonging to the consolidated formation.
c. 1420. ? Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 538. Sodeynly by weet constreynyd … Was the ground to close hys superfyciall face.
1503. Hawes, Examp. Virt., VII. 145. Mannes humayne partyes superfyxcyall.
1555. Eden, Decades, I. IV. (Arb.), 82. The myners dygged the superficiall or vppermost parte of the earthe.
1587. Greene, Penelopes Web, Wks. (Grosart), V. 150. Nature had made her beautifull by a superficiall glorie of well proportioned lineaments.
1692. Ray, Disc., ii. (1732), 6. Over the superficial Part of the Earth.
1795. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 420. Superficial combustions … produce singular effects, which have often been mistaken for those of true volcanos.
1796. C. Marshall, Garden., iv. (1813), 48. An excellent way of manuring, where the superficial soil is much exhausted.
1829. T. Castle, Introd. Bot., 58. With regard to their superficial figure, they are either capillary, linear, gramineous, [etc.].
1842. Penny Cycl., XXIII. 305/1. A more exact appreciation of the causes which have permitted the aggregation of the ‘superficial deposits.’
1872. Huxley, Physiol., V. 129. The rise in the temperature of the superficial blood.
1884. Bower & Scott, De Bary’s Phaner., 557. The white superficial periderm of younger stems.
b. Of actions or conditions: Taking place or existing at or on the surface.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 146. The velocity of running water … is generally about nine-tenths of the superficial velocity.
1871. Tyndall, Fragm. Sci. (1879), I. iv. 129. An amount of light derived from superficial reflection.
1887. Bentley, Man. Bot. (ed. 5), 283. In the Flowering Rush,… they [sc. the ovules] cover the whole inner surface of the ovary except the midrib; in which case the placentation is sometimes described as superficial.
† c. Drawn or delineated upon a (flat) surface. Obs. rare.
1603. Daniel, Def. Ryme, G 4. Historye (which is but a Mappe of men) … dooth no otherwise acquaint vs with the true Substance of Circumstances, than a superficiall Carde dooth the Sea-man with a Coast neuer seene.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., Pref. c iij b. Gloss’d outside Fallacies; like our Stage-scenes, or Perspectives, that shew things inwards, when they are but superficial paintings.
d. Anat. Applied to organs or parts situated just beneath the skin; subcutaneous.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Obs., 2. The superficial veins appear remarkably large.
1835–6. Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 467/2. The subcutaneous or superficial bursæ.
1884. W. Pye, Surg. Handicraft, 14. The line of the superficial femoral artery.
e. Applied to the right to enjoy the surface of land for building or other purposes; also to persons possessing such a right.
1830. Sir C. Wetherell, in Concanen, Trials, Rowe v. Benton, 16. His case is that he, as a superficial occupier, has a right to that which is taken up from under the soil. Ibid. He may have both the superficial right, and the right to the minerals.
2. Of or pertaining to a superficies; relating to or involving two dimensions; esp. relating to extent of surface. (Distinguished from linear, and from solid.) Superficial measure, square measure.
1571. Digges, Pantom., II. i. M j. Multiplie one of the equall sides in it selfe, the halfe of the producte is the Area or superficiall Contente.
1656. trans. Hobbes’ Elem. Philos. (1839), 184. An angle is of two sorts; for, first, it may be made by the concurrence of lines, and then it is a superficial angle; or by the concurrence of superficies, and then it is called a solid angle.
1726. Dict. Rust. (ed. 3), Superficial, or Square Measure … in a square Mile 640 square Acres [etc.].
1824. Act 5 George IV, c. 74. § 1. All other Measures of Extension whatsoever, whether the same be lineal, superficial or solid.
1831. Brewster, Optics, xli. 336. The superficial magnifying power is the number of times that it [sc. an object] is magnified in surface.
1880. Geikie, Phys. Geog., iv. 172. [Europe] has six times more coast-line in proportion to its superficial extent than Africa has.
b. Superficial foot, yard, etc.: a rectangular space measuring a foot, yard, etc., each way, or a space of whatever shape containing the same amount of area; a square foot, etc. (SQUARE a. 1 b.).
1597. Skene, De Verb. Sign., s.v. Particata, Ane superficiall fall of lande, is sa meikle boundis of landes, as squairly conteinis ane lineall fall of bredth, and ane lineall fall of length.
1707. Mortimer, Husb. (1721), II. 96. If a Board hold 2 Foot and 3 Inches in breadth, 5 Inches and 3 tenth parts of an Inch in length will make a square superficial Foot of Plank.
1825. J. Nicholson, Operat. Mechanic, 628. All faced work in slate skirting … is charged by the foot superficial.
1833. Loudon, Encycl. Archit., § 987. A proper bond stone to be laid through the full thickness of the wall every superficial yard.
† c. Math. Of a number: Compounded of two prime factors (analogous to the two dimensions of a surface). Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxvi. (1495), mm iv b. The nombre Superficiall is wryten not oonly in lengthe but also in brede and is conteyned in lengthe & in brede.
c. 1430. Art of Nombryng (E.E.T.S.), 14. Nombre superficial is þat comethe of ledynge [= multiplying] of oo nombre into another, wherfor it is callede superficial, for it hathe .2. nombres notyng or mesurynge hym, as a superficialle thynge hathe .2. dimensions, þat is to sey lengthe and brede.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Superficial Numbers; the same with Plain Numbers.
3. Appearing ‘on the surface’; external, outward.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, I. (1900), 90. Musicke ought necessarilye to be learned … not onely for the superficial melodie that is hard, but to be sufficient to bring into us a newe habite that is good.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 15, ¶ 3. Smitten with every thing that is showy and superficial.
1773. Burke, Lett. to Marq. Rockingham, 29 Sept. There is a superficial appearance of equity in this tax.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxi. IV. 581. Those superficial graces for which the French aristocracy was then renowned throughout Europe.
1883. Gilmour, Mongols, xviii. 210. The superficial aspects of Buddhism … as embodied in the life and habits of the Mongols.
4. That is only on or near the surface; affecting only the surface; not extending much below the surface; not deep.
1594. Nashe, Christ’s T., To Rdr. Wks. 1904, II. 186. Euen of sands and superficiall bubbles they will make hideous waues and dangerous quicke-sands.
1652. Crashaw, Carmen Deo Nostro, Wks. (1904), 209. His [sc. the sun’s] superficiall Beames sun-burn’t our skin; But left within The night & winter still of death & sin.
1676. Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., V. i. 348. In small and superficiall Wounds, Nature of her own accord is wont to effect the Cure.
1794. G. Adams, Nat. & Exp. Philos., II. xx. 378. The colours of the eggs of certain birds are entirely superficial, and may be scraped off.
1849. Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia, IV. 104. Their principal food is afforded by the roots of plants, which is the object of their extensive and superficial burrows.
1854. J. S. C. Abbott, Napoleon (1855), I. xi. 201. When the surgeon came … to inspect his wound, it was found that it was only superficial.
1877. Huxley, Physiogr., 176. Compared with the great depths of the ocean, the Gulf Stream is extremely superficial.
5. Concerned only with what is on the surface, and is therefore apparent or obvious; lacking depth or thoroughness; not deep, profound or thorough; shallow.
a. of perception, feeling.
1533. More, Debell. Salem, Wks. 1030/1. There be few partes in hys booke … that shall … appere so good at length, as they seme … at the fyrst sight and at superficyall reading.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., Epit. A j b. Luckie was hee that might haue but a superficiall viewe of his person. Ibid., 188. Many … taking but as it were, a superficiall viewe of these thinges, fall into this erronious … opinion.
1683. Dryden, Life Plutarch, 114. To vindicate our author’s judgment from being superficial.
a. 1688. Cudworth, Immut. Mor. (1731), 95. Sense is but a slight and Superficial Perception of the Outside … of a Corporeal Substance.
1728. Welsted, in J. Henley, Oratory Trans., No 1. 10. [John Henley] was admitted to Priest’s Orders…: The Examination … was very short and superficial.
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, viii. Pity and superficial consolation were all that Madame La Motte could offer.
1845. McCulloch, Taxation, I. iv. (1852), 111. On a superficial view, nothing seems fairer,… and yet few things would, in reality, be more unfair and mischievous.
1879. Harlan, Eyesight, i. 9. A superficial and hasty glance at its general outlines.
b. of attainments, knowledge, learning.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 281. Touching Nature their skill is but superficiall, and like a shadowe destitute of substaunce.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. i. § 3. A little or superficiall knowledge of Philosophie may encline the minde of man to Atheisme.
1667. Pepys, Diary, 24 Feb. He speaks well, and hath pretty, slight, superficial parts, I believe.
1791. Boswell, Johnson, I. Introd. 7. Men of superficial understanding, and ludicrous fancy.
1836. H. Coleridge, North. Worthies, Introd. (1852), p. xxiv. Nothing is more likely to delude and puzzle simple persons … than a superficial acquaintance with the heads of history.
1865. Ruskin, Sesame, ii. § 75. There is a wide difference between elementary knowledge and superficial knowledge.
c. of statement, description, exposition.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 377. I thinke it more auailable to kepe silence … then by saying litle, and ye same superficiall, to incurre reprehension, for attempting that, which I am not able to compasse.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. v. 10. This superficiall tale, Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
1624. Gataker, Transubst., 36. His proofes are tedious, superficiall, and stuffed with impertinent allegations.
a. 1667. Cowley, Agric., Wks. 1906, II. 405. To read Pompous and Superficial Lectures out of Virgils Georgickes [etc.].
1777. Robertson, Hist. Amer., VII. (1778), II. 270. The accounts … are superficial, confused and inexplicable.
1855. Singleton, Virgil, I. Pref. 18. A florid and superficial style of construing.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), V. 339. Of the courts of law … a superficial sketch has been given.
d. transf. of persons, in respect of their actions, attainments or character.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., III. ii. 147. A very superficiall, ignorant, vnweighing fellow.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., 130. Superficial Philosophers doe much please themselves with this division.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, XVII. v. Nor are Instances of this kind [of the firmness and constancy of a true friend] so rare, as some superficial and inaccurate Observers have reported.
1853. C. Brontë, Villette, xviii. Superficial, showy, selfish people.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. i. 2. To a superficial observer the English people might seem … to be wiped out of the roll-call of the nations.
6. Of conditions, qualities, actions, occupations; Not involving a profound or serious issue; of insignificant import or influence.
c. 1530. Judic. Urines, III. i. 46 b. Colour of the vryne is a thyng that is but shadowyng and superfycyall, and a thyng that now is and now it is not.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 383. The Generall Opinion is, that Yeares Hot and Moist, are most Pestilent; Vpon the Superficiall Ground, that Heat and Moisture cause Putrefaction.
1655. Marq. Worcester, Cent. Inv., Ded. p. iv. I made it but for the superficial satisfaction of a friends curiosity.
1805. Wordsw., Prelude, III. 209. Empty noise And superficial pastimes.
a. 1852. D. Webster, Wks. (1877), IV. 416. A change superficial and apparent only, not deep and real.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. ii. 19. It would seem that the Roman occupation of Britain was, after all, very superficial.
7. That has only the outward appearance of being what is denoted by the sb.; only apparent or on the surface, not real or genuine.
1623. Cockeram, Superficiall, bearing shew only on the outside.
1638. Heywood, Wise Wom., III. i. All Sutors … being repulst … doe but waste their dayes In thanklesse suites, and superficiall praise.
1664. H. More, Myst. Iniq., I. xvi. 56. All such Ludicrous and Superficial Religion must needs leave the body of sin entire and untouched, and the inward Mind dead and starved.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), II. 3. The old quarrel has at least a superficial reconcilement.
B. absol. or as sb.
1. With the: That which is superficial (in any sense). † In the superficial: on a plane surface.
1579. Fenton, Guicciard., I. 56. The Cardinall … admonished them that they should not consider onely the superficiall and beginning of thinges [orig. la superficie, e i principii delle cose], but see deepely that which with time, and in tyme may happen.
1529. Puttenham, Engl. Poesie, III. xxv. (Arb.), 310. The artes of painting and keruing, whereof one represents the naturall by light colour and shadow in the superficiall or flat, the other in a body massife.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 381. When the due distinction has been drawn between the ephemeral and the lasting, the superficial and the essential.
1892. Bryce, in Daily News, 28 Nov., 3/2. There was all the difference in the world between the elementary and the superficial.
2. With the: Those who are superficial; rarely pl. superficial persons.
1701. Swift, Contests & Diss. in Athens & Rome, iv. Wks. 1841, I. 292/2. The ambitious, the covetous, the superficial, and the ill designing; who are … apt to be bold, and forward.
1828. Lytton, Pelham, I. xv. It is the young, the light, the superficial who are easily misled by error.
1852. Col. Hawker, Diary (1893), II. 337. If my plans are adopted, the Government superficials cannot pass them off as their own suggestions.
3. pl. Superficial characteristics or qualities.
1832. R. H. Froude, Rem. (1838), I. 294. They cannot sink us so deep as these people have allowed themselves to fall while retaining all the superficials of a religious country.
1850. Fraser’s Mag., XLII. 437. Such men … will varnish over a dexterous partizan with the superficials of greatness.
1897. Watts-Dunton, Aylwin, II. iv. Excepting in the merest superficials, there is a far greater variety in women than in men.
