Obs. [ad. L. *superstructio, -ōnem, n. of action f. superstruĕre: see prec. Cf. SUBSTRUCTION.]
1. = SUPERSTRUCTURE.
a. fig. or in fig. context.
1624. Ussher, Serm., 22. The unitie of the faith … here spoken of, hath reference … to the foundation: as that which followeth of a perfect man … to the superstruction and perfection.
1638. Chillingw., Relig. Prot., I. iii. § 57. 165. You must … believe the Church Infallible in all her proposalls, be they foundations, or be they superstructions.
1650. Hobbes, De Corp. Pol., 125. For the Points of Faith necessary to Salvation, I shall call them Fundamentall, and every other Point a Superstruction.
1683. E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 71. Rotten Foundations, superstitious superstructions.
b. lit. or in physical sense. rare.
1612. Selden, Illustr. Drayton’s Poly-olb., x. 165. A great water, which could endure continuance of no heauy superstruction.
a. 1687. Petty, Treat. Naval Philos., I. ii. The superstructions upon the upper Deck.
2. The action of building upon something. rare–0.
1864. in Webster; hence in later Dicts.
