adv. [L. prec. adj. + -LY2.]
1. In a superlative manner; in the highest (or a very high) degree; supereminently, supremely.
1596. Warner, Alb. Eng., XII. lxxiv. (1612), 307. What, is she married? Then do yee superlatiuely sinne.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, I. xxiv. (1840), 45. Valour was not wanting in the Turks, but superlatively abundant in the Christians.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 68. Channel-Cruizers,… are superlatively the best for his Purpose.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 728. There are 35 species of Mexican birds that are superlatively beautiful.
1828. P. Cunningham, N. S. Wales (ed. 3), II. 265. The fantastic airs and quavers of others [sc. singers] were superlatively ridiculous.
1835. Poe, Adv. Hans Pfaall, Wks. 1864, I. 3. A brim superlatively broad.
1868. Kinglake, Crimea (1877), IV. vi. 145. Superlatively important matters.
2. With the use of superlatives; with exaggeration. rare.
c. 1615. Bacon, Adv. Sir G. Villiers, ii. § 1. I shall not speak superlatively of them [sc. laws of England]; but this I may truly say, they are second to none in the Christian world.
So Superlativeness, the quality of being superlative.
1727. Bailey (Vol. II.).
1888. H. W. Parker, Spirit of Beauty (1891), 70. Variation into all forms of use and loveliness and final superlativeness.
