a. and sb. Also 4–9 -iour, 6 -ioure, -your. [a. OF. superior, -our (mod.F. supérieur) = It. superiore, Sp., Pg. superior, ad. L. superior, -ōrem, compar. of superus that is above, f. super above.] A. adj.
1. Higher in local position; situated above or further up than something else; upper; † belonging to the upper regions, heavenly, celestial (obs.). Now chiefly in technical use: see senses 9–13.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 361. In Ynde the superiour.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 127. Cedar is a region in the superior parte of Palestine.
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 24. The superiour or high India … is a region excedinge large.
1631. Massinger, Emperor East, I. ii. The motion, with the divers operations, Of the superior bodies.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., II. 101. The superiour particles of the Ayr pressing the inferiour.
1709. V. Mandey, Syst. Math., Arith. (1729), 21. Numerator, is the superior Term of the Fraction.
1712–4. Pope, Rape Lock, II. 70. Amid the circle, on the gilded mast, Superior by the head, was Ariel plac’t.
1799. Kirwan, Geol. Ess., 380. All the superior earthy and stony matter having been swept away by floods.
1838. Lyell, Elem. Geol., xii. 268. The relative age of the superior and inferior portions of the earth’s crust.
1839. Murchison, Silur. Syst., I. xxxiii. 441. The sandy flagstone … is, apparently, thrown unconformably against the superior formations.
1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., I. 98/1. The superior course [in building].
b. in predicative use, quasi-adv.: In or into a higher position; higher; upward. poet.
1718. Prior, Henry & Emma, 113. When Superior now the Bird has flown, And headlong brought the tumbling Quarry down.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XIII. 41. He sits superior, and the chariot flies.
1807. J. Barlow, Columb., VI. 27. Tall on the boldest bark superior shone A warrior ensign’d with a various crown.
2. Preceding in time or serial order; earlier, former: † before-mentioned, above.
1534. Whitinton, Tullyes Offices, III. (1540), 126. To the which selfe questyons and consultacyons of the superior bokes many thinges be suffyciently disputed.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 132/2. Adde … to the superiour potion a qu[arter] of an ownce of redd Roses.
3. Higher in rank or dignity; more exalted in social or official status.
1485. Caxton, Chas. Gt., 203. God hath … made the superyor in worldly puyssaunce aboue al other kynges.
1539. Tonstall, Serm. Palm Sund. (1823), 37. For who is superiour? he that sytteth at the table, or he that serueth at the table? is not he superiour that sytteth?
1558. C. Goodman (title), How Superior Powers oght to be obeyd of their subiects.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 167. If thou wilt fall down, And worship me as thy superior Lord.
1726. Ayliffe, Parergon, 72. This kind of an Appeal … transfers the Cognizance of the Cause to the Superiour Judge.
1760. Caut. & Adv. Off. Army, 149. Putting so palpable an Affront on his superior Officer.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. V. ix. He says he obeyed superior orders.
1875. Maine, Hist. Instit., iv. 102. Superior ownership has arisen through … purchase from small allodial proprietors.
b. Father or Mother Superior: = B. 2.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), s.v., The chief Governour or Governess of a Monastery, otherwise called Superiour Father, or Superiour Mother.
1846. Mrs. A. Marsh, Father Darcy, II. xi. 187. A feeling upon which the Father Superior calculated with security.
1907. [see MOTHER sb.1 3 b].
4. Higher in ideal or abstract rank, or in a scale or series; of a higher nature or character. Sometimes contextually or by implication: Supernatural, superhuman.
1533. More, Answ. Poysoned Bk., I. xi. 40 b. As we say a man is obedyent vnto his owne reason, and yet is not his owne reason another power superiour aboue hym selfe.
1634. Milton, Comus, 801. I feel that I do fear Her words set off by some superior power.
1646. Crashaw, Name above every Name, 95. May it be no wrong, Blest heav’ns, to you, and your superior song, That [etc.].
1660. R. Coke, Justice Vind., Ep. Ded. 7. Conscience … supposes some superior law informing men to do, or not do a thing.
1704. in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., IX. 350. There is a general infatuation, as if by a superior influence, got among us.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 154. Those people who have any notion of a God must represent him to themselves as something superior.
1726. Butler, Serm. Rolls Chap., iii. 45. The several Passions being naturally subordinate to the one superior Principle of Reflection and Conscience.
1871. B. Stewart, Heat (ed. 2), § 26. The superior limit of the mercurial thermometer’s accurate employment.
† b. In theological or religious use, applied to the soul or the spirit. Obs.
1638. Rouse, Heav. Univ. (1702), 162. While my superior mind breatheth and longeth after Thee.
1663. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., xxxii. (1687), 395. It is an holy, chast and innocent pleasure … which riseth higher than sense, and seeks the superiour part.
a. 1700. in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ., IX. 342. Keeping herself united to him … whome she possessed in her superior wil and soule, in solitude.
1745. A. Butler, Lives Saints, S. Jane Frances (1821), VIII. 296. She laboured … to gain … an absolute ascendant of the superior part of her soul over the inferior.
c. Logic. Having greater extension.
1843. Mill, Logic, I. vii. § 3. Biped is a genus with reference to man and bird, but a species with respect to the superior genus, animal.
1864. Bowen, Logic, iv. 87. Of any two Concepts in such a series, that one is called the Superior, Higher, or Broader, which has the greater Extension.
5. Higher in degree, amount, quality, importance or other respect; of greater value or consideration.
1579–1642. [see 6 a].
1702. Rowe, Tamerl., I. ii. Nations unknown Shall … Bend to his Valour, and Superior Virtue.
1708. Swift, Sacram. Test, Wks. 1755, II. I. 127. When they are the superior number in any tract of ground, they are not over patient of mixture.
1756. Burke, Subl. & Beaut., Introd., Wks. 1842, I. 27. That the critical taste does not depend upon a superiour principle in men, but upon superiour knowledge.
1798. Hull Advertiser, 14 April, 2/1. She escaped by superior sailing.
1816. Scott, Old Mort., xxxi. It might be easily defended against a very superior force.
1827. Faraday, Chem. Manip., xv. (1842), 350. The air will enter into the gasometer, being forced inwards by the superior external pressure.
1883. Ld. Blackburn, in Law Rep., 8 App. Cases 462. Those who sought to turn the man in possession out must shew a superior legal title to his.
6. Const. to († occas. with, than). a. Higher in status or quality than; hence, greater or better than; † formerly also advb. = more or better than, above, beyond.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. III. I. x. 32 b. Pride saithe to euery persone … dispyce all other,… thou oughtest to be superiour to them all.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 190. In the one thou art inferiour to al men, in the other superior to al beasts.
c. 1611. Chapman, Iliad, XX. 383. I … well know, thy strength superiour farre, To that my nerues hold.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., VIII. 369. A City … farre superior in greatnesse with Aleppo.
1642. Jer. Taylor, Episc., xi. 60. The Apostles … were Superior to the 72.
1757. W. Wilkie, Epigoniad, I. 25. Who arms the first, and first to combat goes, Tho’ weaker, seems superior to his foes.
1784. T. Coke, Serm. Ordin. F. Asbury, 27 Dec. (1785), 14, note. An Officer of the Church superior to the Presbyters.
1796. Mrs. J. West, Gossip’s Story, I. 218. He behaves to me with yet superiour esteem and respect, than when he was at Stannadine.
1830. Scott, Monast., Introd. A being, however superior to man in length of life.
1857. Kingsley, Two Y. Ago, xv. He seems so superior to the people round him.
1907. Verney Mem., I. 269. He was … superior in numbers to the enemy.
advb. 1762. Goldsm., Cit. W., l. It is to this ductility of the laws that an Englishman owes the freedom he enjoys superior to others.
1785. G. A. Bellamy, Apol. (ed. 3), I. 45. I loved his Lordship superior to the whole world.
b. Too great or strong to be overcome or affected by; not mastered by; above the influence or reach of.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 88. Jealousy of his Master’s honour, (to whom his Fidelity was Superior to any temptation).
1700. Prior, Written in Robe’s Geogr., 11. That I may Read, and Ride, and Plant, Superior to Desire, or Want.
1775. J. Bryant, Mythol., II. 393. The crocodile, and Hippopotamus, were emblems of the Ark; because during the inundation of the Nile they rose with the waters, and were superior to the flood.
1791. Mrs. Radcliffe, Rom. Forest, viii. Adeline was superior to the affectation of fear.
1804–5. Wordsw., Prelude, VI. 137. The one Supreme Existence,… to the boundaries of space and time … Superior.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., xiv. To that foible even she was not superior.
1863. Mrs. Oliphant, Salem Chapel, ii. 36. So strangely superior to her surroundings, yet not despising or quarrelling with them.
advb. 1804. Eugenia de Acton, Tale without Title, II. 100. If there are any who wish to act superior to that last-mentioned very useful endowment.
c. Transcending, on a higher plane than.
1841. Myers, Cath. Th., III. § 7. 22. Human thought is always superiour to its expression.
1865. Lecky, Ration. (1878), II. 29. A bond of unity that is superior to the divisions of nationhood.
7. Characteristic of one who is superior (in senses 3 and 4); also, from sense 6 b, ‘free from emotion or concern; unconquered; unaffected’ (J.). poet. or rhet.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 499. He in delight Both of her Beauty and submissive Charms Smil’d with superior Love. Ibid., V. 902. Hostile scorn, which he susteind Superior, nor of violence fear’d aught. Ibid., VIII. 532. Here passion first I felt,… in all enjoyments else Superiour and unmov’d.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XIV. 387. She ceas’d, and smiling with superior Love, Thus answer’d mild the Cloud-compelling Jove. Ibid. (1742), Dunc., IV. 105. There mov’d Montalto with superior air.
1746. Hervey, Medit. (1818), 40. With a wise indifference, if not with a superior disdain!
1819. Shelley, Cenci, II. i. 117. Never again … with fearless eye, And brow superior … Shalt thou strike dumb the meanest of mankind.
b. Applied ironically to persons of lofty, supercilious or dictatorial manner or behavior (or to their actions, etc.).
1864. Disraeli, Sp. Ho. Comm., 8 July. In private life there is always … some person,… who is regarded as a superior person. They decide on everything, they lecture everybody…. The right hon. member for Stroud is the ‘superior person’ of the House of Commons.
1890. Daily News, 4 Oct., 5/1. He gave himself airs of affectation. He was superior.
1897. A. D. Innes, Macaulay’s Ld. Clive, 128, note. The ‘superior’ person who posed as an authority on matters of culture.
1902. Wister, Virginian, xviii. One or two people I have knowed … never said a superior word to me.
c. advb. In a a superior style; with a superior air.
1716. Pope, Iliad, V. 517. The Sire of Gods and Men superior smil’d [μείδησεν].
1815. Jane Austen, Emma, xxvi. Jane Fairfax did look and move superior.
1894. S. Fiske, Holiday Stories (1900), 129. I no longer smiled superior upon Paddy from Cork.
8. In a positive or absolute sense (admitting comparison with more and most): Supereminent in degree, amount or (most commonly) quality; surpassing the generality of its class or kind.
1777. Sheridan, Sch. Scand., I. i. A person of your ladyship’s superior accomplishments and understanding.
1812. Sir H. Davy, Chem. Philos., 3. A species of air that supports flame in a superior degree.
1854. Thackeray, Wolves & Lamb, I. (1899), 23. What a woman she was—what a superior creature!
1888. Miss Braddon, Fatal Three, I. iii. They were altogether superior people for their class.
1888. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Bootle’s Childr., x. Sadly in need of a superior needle-woman! Ibid. (1891), Lumley, i. Let me give you a little more of the mayonnaise,… it’s very superior.
9. Astron. a. Applied to those planets whose orbits lie outside that of the earth (originally, according to the Ptolemaic astronomy, as having their spheres above that of the sun). b. Superior conjunction: see CONJUNCTION 3. c. Superior meridian: that part of the celestial meridian that lies above the pole: so superior passage (of the meridian), etc.
1583. R. Harvey (title), An Astrological Discourse vpon the great and notable Coniunction of the two superiour Planets, Satvrne & Ivpiter.
1690. Leybourn, Curs. Math., 751. The Motion of the Superiour Planets.
1786–7. Bonnycastle, Astron., 435. Superior Planets, are those which move at a farther distance from the sun than the earth, and are Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Georgium Sidus.
1833. Herschel, Astron., viii. 253. The superior conjunction will happen when the earth arrives at D, and the planet at d in the same line prolonged on the other side of the sun.
1834. Mrs. Somerville, Connex. Phys. Sci., xiv. 112. The rotation of the earth brings the same point twice under the meridian of the moon in [a day], once under the superior, and once under the inferior, meridian.
1839. Moseley, Astron., xvi. 58. Let the altitude of the star be observed when it is on the meridian … at what is called its superior passage.
10. Bot. Growing above some other part or organ: said of the ovary when situated above or free from the (inferior) calyx, and of the calyx when adherent to the sides of the (inferior) ovary so that the calyx-lobes are above the ovary.
Also occas. applied to those parts of an axillary flower that lie nearest to the axis (= posterior), and to a radicle when directed towards the apex of the fruit (= ascending).
1785. Martyn, Lett. Bot., v. (1794), 52. Such are called superior flowers, as being above the germ. Ibid., xvi. 172. Having … a capsule for a seed-vessel, superior or inclosed within the calyx.
1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), II. 396. Chrysosplenium…. Calyx superiour.
1845. Lindley, Sch. Bot. (1862), 13. In many cases the calyx is united to the surface of the pistil … and is then called superior or adherent.
1849. Balfour, Man. Bot., § 357. If a whorl of the flower consists of four parts, that which is turned towards the floral axis is called superior or posterior.
1861. Bentley, Man. Bot., 318. The Samara is a superior, two or more celled fruit. Ibid., 351. The radicle is said to be superior or ascending … when it is directed towards the apex of the pericarp.
11. Anat. and Zool. Applied to parts or organs situated above, or in a higher position than, others of the same kind (distinguished as inferior), or above the usual or normal position.
1733. G. Douglas trans. Winslow’s Anat., I. ii. § 14 (1756), I. 39. The superior Conchæ of the Ethmoidal Bone. Ibid., 75. At the superior and anterior part of the Thorax, between the Scapula and the sternum.
1815. Stephens, in Shaw’s Gen. Zool., IX. I. 44. All the feathers of the superior parts of the body.
1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., IV. 314. Eyes … Superior … when they are placed in the upper part of the head. Ibid., 335. Superior, the anterior wings are so denominated if when at rest they are placed upon the posterior wings.
1831–2. Lancet, II. 119/2. The superior angle of the bifurcation of the carotid and subclavian.
1840. W. J. E. Wilson, Anat. Vade M. (1842), 33. The superior Maxillary are the largest bones of the face, with the exception of the lower jaw.
1881. Mivart, Cat, 72. The superior meatus of the nose.
12. Printing. Applied to small letters or figures, or other characters, made to range above the line, at or near the top of the ordinary letters.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, 391. Superiour Letters, are often set to Marginal Notes.
1770. Luckombe, Hist. Printing, 257. Superior Letters, or else Superior Figures … were originally … intended to be employed in Matter that is explained by Notes.
1847. Sir F. Madden, Layamon’s Brut, III. 657. Instead of brackets, superior commas should have been used.
13. Fortif. Superior slope: the inclined upper surface of the parapet.
1852. Burn, Naval & Milit. Dict. (1863), s.v.
1892. G. Philips, Text Bk. Fortification, etc. (ed. 5), 60.
B. sb.
1. A person of higher rank or dignity; one who is above another or others in social or official station; esp. a superior officer or official. (Commonly with possessive pronoun.)
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., Adam, § 6. Lyke as they were inobedyent to theyr superyor, ryght soo theyr membres began to meue ayenst theyr superior.
1502. Atkynson, trans. De Imitatione, III. xiv. (1893), 209. Lerne thou to obey gladlye to thy superior.
1558. Extr. Rec. Burgh Peebles (1872), 252. The difference … was referrit to tuelf burgessis … and my lord Yester … superiour.
1565. Harding, Confut. Apol. Ch. Eng., 190. The Bishop of Rome … in spirituall causes can haue no superiour.
1617. Moryson, Itin., I. 170. The Archbishop thereof long time challenged the Primacie in the Italian Church, neuer acknowledging the Bishop of Rome for superiour.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. i. 1. The Rebukes and Censures of Superiours.
1760. Caut. & Adv. Off. Army, 9. A brisk, alert young Man, who makes it his Study to know, and his Pleasure to perform his Duty, cannot fail of attracting the Regard and Recommendation of his Superiors.
1781. Cowper, Charity, 275. While conscience … Owns no superior but the God she fears.
1786. Burke, Art. agst. W. Hastings, xx. Wks. 1813, XII. 20. For which I was responsible to my King, and the Company my immediate ‘superiours.’
1817. Parr, Wks. (1828), VII. 237. In respectful conformity to the commands of my ecclesiastical superiors.
1844. [G. R. Gleig], Light Dragoon, xxv. Our superiors may think as they please,—but we, who fill up the ranks of the British army, know [etc.].
1876. J. Grant, Burgh Sch. Scot., II. ii. 128. It is unpleasant for a teacher to be opposed to his patrons and superiors.
2. The head of a community of religious (a monastery, nunnery, convent, abbey, etc.); also, the head of a religious order or congregation (more fully, superior-general) or of a department of it.
1497. Bp. Alcock, Mons Perfect., c iij b/1. But & he be inobedyent to his superyor than he is no monke but a deuyl.
1582. Allen, Martyrd. Father Campion (1908), 6. So making his choise of the societie of the name of Jesus, he went to Rome, where by the superior of that order he was admitted.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., III. xvii. 102 b. A generall chapter or assembly, in which their Priour or Superiour is president.
1621. Eng. Prot. Plea for Eng. Priests & Papists, 61. The supposed guiltines of M. Garnet, superior of the Iesuits here at that time.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 4 Nov. 1644. A Benedictine monke and Superior of his Order for the English College of Douay.
1775. in C. Butler, Hist. Mem. Engl. Cath., lxxv. § 9 (1821), IV. 353. The society of Jesus, of which I was superior-general.
1844. A. P. de Lisle, in E. Purcell, Life (1900), I. vii. 118. After dinner the Superior of the Passionist Monks called upon us.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 21. Benedict, being chosen Superior of the monastery near Subiaco.
1883. Encycl. Brit., XVI. 709/1. The founder in 1115 entrusted the superior-generalship of the whole institute to the abbess of the nuns.
1897. E. L. Taunton, Engl. Black Monks, II. 301, note. They were united into one congregation, with the abbess of Fontevraud as superior-general.
† b. gen. A governor; a superintendent. Obs.
1554. W. Prat, Aphrique, G j b. There is gyuen to theym an other superior by the Cytizens.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., III. x. 90. Ouer these two kitchins … are set and ordained foure superiours.
3. Feudal Law. One who (or the successor of one who) has granted an estate of heritable property to another (termed the vassal) on condition of the annual payment of a certain sum or the performance of certain services.
1538. Starkey, England (1878), 114. Yf a man dye … leuyng hys heyre wythin age, hys landys fal in to the handys of the sayd superyor and lord.
1561. Abst. Protocols Town Clerks Glasgow (1896), III. 3. David Bruce … resignit,… and ouregaif in the handis of Robert Callendar … his superior, all and haile ane pece of the Mayneis of B.
1567. Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. I. I. 540. The giftis of wardis … falland … in oure said sonnis handis as superiour thairof.
1689. in Acts Parlt. Scot. (1875), XII. 74/1. The forfaultors of vassells and cre[dito]rs … who shall be innocent of þair superiors or debitors crymes.
1710. in Nairne Peerage Evidence (1874), 45. Our immediat lawfull superiors of the said lands.
1753. J. Dalrymple, Ess. Feudal Property (ed. 2), 46. In the origin of the feudal law in Europe, the gift which the vassal on his entry gave to the superior, consisted of armour.
1882. Encycl. Brit., XIV. 264/1. Each owner who holds of the sovereign may grant a subordinate estate to be held of himself as ‘superior’ or lord.
b. Subject superior: a superior who holds as subject of a sovereign.
1734. Treat. Orig. & Progress of Fees, 34. Such Charters are granted by the Sovereign only, and by no Subject Superior.
a. 1768. Erskine, Inst. Law Scot., II. vii. § 6 (1773), 281. In lands holden of subject-superiors.
1882. Encycl. Brit., XIV. 264/1. The means of commuting the services they had bound themselves to pay to the ‘subject superior,’ and of converting themselves into direct vassals of the crown.
4. A person, or (less commonly) a thing, of higher quality or value than another; one that excels another in some respect. (Commonly with genitive pronoun or of.)
1634. Ford, Perk. Warbeck, I. ii. I am confident Thou wilt proportion all thy thoughts to side Thy equals, if not equal thy superiors.
1681. J. Scott, Chr. Life, I. iii. § 3 (1684), 168. To honour those that are our Superiours whether in Place or Virtue.
1715. Pope, Iliad, II. 722. Dorion,… Superiour once of all the tuneful race.
1807. Crabbe, Par. Reg., III. 444. None his superior, and his equals few.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 231. No one is the superior of the invincible Socrates in argument.
1911. Petrie, Revolutions of Civilisation, iii. 54. We here reach the period of art which is the rival, if not the superior, of the classical age.
† 5. Astron. A superior planet: see A. 9 a. Obs.
1679. Moxon, Math. Dict., s.v. Postventional, Before or after any great Conjunction of the Superiors. Ibid., Superiors, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars, are called so … because their Orbs are above the Sun.
† 6. Arith. A number or figure standing above another. Obs. rare.
1709. V. Mandey, Syst. Math., Arith. (1729), 68. Subtract the Multiplied from its Superior.
7. Printing. A superior letter or figure: see A. 12.
1726. S. Lowe, Lat. Gram., Notes 1. The superior letters in parentheses answer to superiors in the grammar.
1770. Luckombe, Hist. Printing, 258. Superiors of the smallest size are … inconvenient to the Reader.
1882. J. Southward, Pract. Printing (1884), 17. For use in algebraic … works small letters are cast upon the upper part of the shank. These are called superiors.
