a. [ad. L. supernatant-, -ans, pr. pple. of supernatāre: see SUPER- 2 and NATANT.] Swimming above, floating on the surface (as a lighter liquid on a heavier).
1661. Boyle, Certain Physiol. Ess. (1669), 244. Whilst the substance continu’d fluid, I could shake it,… with the supernatant Menstruum, without making between them any … lasting Union.
1782. Withering, in Phil. Trans., LXXII. 329. The powdery parts are allowed to subside until the supernatant liquor becomes clear.
1826. Henry, Elem. Chem., II. 133. When the silver has entirely precipitated,… the clear supernatant liquor is to be poured off.
1839. Penny Cycl., XV. 217/2. Milk from which the supernatant fluid, or cream, has been removed is termed skim-milk.
1867. J. Hogg, Microsc., I. iii. 227. After allowing the precipitate to settle for a day, draw off the clear supernatant fluid with a syphon.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., IV. 424. A grayish-white deposit of pus with a supernatant cloud of mucus.
b. Said of that part of a floating body that is above the surface.
a. 1687. Petty, Treat. Naval Philos., I. i. The supernatant part of the Ship.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 154.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Supernatant part of a ship.… This was formerly expressed by the name dead-work.
c. fig.
1903. F. W. H. Myers, Human Pers., I. 351. Certain disintegrated elements in the primary supernatant consciousness.
