Superfluously

adv. [f. prec. + -LY².] In a superfluous manner or degree.

  1.  More than sufficiently; in excess of what is proper or necessary; superabundantly.

1502.  Atkynson, trans. De Imitatione, I. xxv. (1893), 178. They labour moche, & speke but lytell superfluously.

1584.  Cogan, Haven Health, ccxi. (1636), 215. I advise all men not to linger the time long in eating and drinking superfluously.

1615.  W. Lawson, Country Housew. Garden (1626), 24. To dresse the roots of trees, to take away the tawes, and tangles, that … grow superfluously and disorderly.

1751.  Smollett, Per. Pickle (1779), I. iv. 29. Her attention to the guests was superfluously hospitable.

1818.  Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxvi. She was now amply or even superfluously provided with the means of encountering the expenses of the road.

  2.  In addition to what is needed; hence, without necessity, unnecessarily, needlessly.

1557.  Recorde, Whetst., B 4 b. Not onely superfluousely, but also falsely, should thei bee placed here: seynge thei doe belong to other places of right.

1653.  H. More, Antid. Ath., II. ix. § 6. Discriminative Providence,… doing nothing superfluously or in vain.

1738.  Warburton, Div. Legat., I. I. iv. 40. As making God act unnecessarily and superfluously.

1861.  Ld. Acton, Lett. (1909), 235. Do not superfluously imitate the Cardinal.

1884.  trans. Lotze’s Logic, 165. It is difficult … to prove … that Q also has the predicate z which is superfluously added in the definition actually given.

  † 3.  Beyond measure, excessively, inordinately, extravagantly. Obs.

1528.  More, Dyaloge, I. Wks. 157/1. Pryde longed superfluously to gete by couetyse and gredynes many folkes lyuynges in his owne handes.

1528.  Paynell, Salerne’s Regim., L ij b. The wyne … shulde be alayde with moche water … but nat so superfluously alayde … than as in sommer.

1584.  Cogan, Haven Health, clxxvi. (1636), 161. Sea fish is of better nourishment, then fresh water fish … because it is not so superfluously moist.

1597.  A. M., trans. Guillemeau’s Fr. Chirurg., 21/1. Immediatlye therafter the water superfluoselye issueth therout.

1603.  Ld. Stirling, Darius, IV. ii. Those gorgeous halles, With fourniture superfluouslie faire.