[a. OF. supplanteor (mod.F. supplanteur), ad. late L. supplantātōrem, agent-n. f. supplantāre to SUPPLANT: see -ER1.]
1. One who dispossesses or displaces another in his position, esp. by unworthy practices.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3744. Right-wisli es iacob his nam, Þat es to sai … Supplanter als of heritage.
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 241. If thou understode … In loves cause what it doth, A man to ben a Supplantour.
c. 1614. Fletcher, etc., Wit at Sev. Weapons, Persons repr. in Play. Cunningham, a discreet gen. Sir Gregories comrade and supplanter.
1691. Bp. Ken, Lett., 7 June, in Plumptre, Life (1888), II. xx. 52. Dr Kidder is now said to be my Successour or rather supplanter.
1703. W. Hamilton, Life Bonnell, II. 167. He was rarely known to speak an Angry word against his Supplanter.
1841. Lytton, Night & Morn., I. iii. Those children are our disgrace and your supplanters.
1899. Daily News, 25 July, 6/1. When the prodigal has satisfied poetic justice, and retaliated by nearly killing his supplanter, the two men cry quits.
† 2. One who causes the downfall or destruction of a person or thing; an overthrower. Obs.
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter xiii. 11 [xiv. 7]. Iacob is als mykill at say as wrestlere or supplantere of syn.
1422. Capgrave, Treat. Rule St. Aug., in Life (1910), 145. So may our blessid fader Augustyn be cleped a supplanter of þe Deuel.
1672. W. de Britaine, Dutch Usurp., 33. The Hollanders are the great Supplanters of Trade, and obstructers of Commerce.
a. 1716. South, 4th Serm. Isa. v. 20 (1727), VI. 109. A treacherous Supplanter and Underminer of the Peace of all Families and Societies.
3. A thing that displaces or supersedes another.
1865. Sat. Rev., 11 Nov., 622/1. Natural Provençal and natural Swabian, as distinguished from their high-polite supplanter.
1905. J. B. Firth, Highw. & Byways Derbyshire, xi. 172. The old road … is little more than half as long as its modern supplanter.
