Supra-

prefix, repr. L. suprā- = suprā (related to super and ultimately to sub) adv. and prep., above, beyond, in addition (to), before in time, occurring in a few compounds in classical and late Latin; in med. and mod.L. it is mainly restricted to technical terms. Its meanings in English are for the most part parallel to, but in much less vogue than, those of SUPER-; but it is more prevalent than the latter in certain uses, e.g., the scientific uses in 1 a and 1 b, in which it is most commonly employed as a living prefix.

  The stressing is as in compounds of SUPER-, q.v.

  I.  Over, above, higher than; (less commonly) on, upon: in a physical sense.

  1.  In prepositional relation to the sb. implied in, or constituting, the second element: = SUPER- 1; as in late L. suprācælestis SUPRACELESTIAL, mod.L. suprā-axillāris (axilla AXIL), suprāfoliāceus (folium leaf).

  a.  Miscellaneous adjs., chiefly scientific: = SUPER- 1 a, c. Supra-aerial, situated above the air or atmosphere. Supra-axillary, Bot., arising above an axil, as a branch or bud. Supracoralline, Geol., lying immediately above the Coralline Oolite. Supracretaceous, Geol., lying above the Cretaceous series, as the Tertiary and more recent formations. Suprafoliaceous, Suprafoliar, Bot., situated or arising above (or upon) a leaf. Supraglacial, occurring upon the surface of ice, esp. of a glacier. Supralineal, written above the line. Supramarine, situated or occurring above the sea. Supramedial, lying above the middle (e.g., of a series of rocks). Supratropical, next ‘above,’ i.e., higher in latitude than, the tropical (see quot.).

1694.  Halley, in Phil. Trans., XXXIII. 120. The Firmament, supposed by Moses to sustain a *Supra-aerial Sea.

1760.  J. Lee, Introd. Bot., III. xxi. (1765), 218. *Supra-axillary.

1870.  Hooker, Stud. Flora, 256. Solanum,… flowers in the forks of the stem, or supra-axillary.

1885.  Etheridge, Strat. Geol., xli. 453. The *Supra-Coralline Beds.

1832.  De la Beche, Geol. Man. (ed. 2), 221. The marine *supracretaceous rocks of the South of France.

1852.  Lyell, Man. Elem. Geol., ix. (ed. 4), 103. Groups of Fossiliferous Strata … Tertiary, Supracretaceous, or Cainozoic.

1777.  S. Robson, Brit. Flora, 21. *Suprafoliaceous, coming out above the leaves, as in Asperifoliæ.

1866.  Treas. Bot., 1111/1. *Suprafoliar, growing upon a leaf.

1894.  Geikie, Gt. Ice Age (ed. 3), 207. The beds of these *supraglacial rivers might become crowded with gravel, [etc.].

1874.  T. H. Key, Language, 61. The fact of its [sc. the aspirate’s] having passed into a mere *supra-lineal mark in classical Greek suggests the question whether it had not even in those days become an unmeaning symbol.

1832.  Lyell, Princ. Geol., II. 195. The effects … of subterranean action on *supramarine land. Ibid. (1863), Antiq. Man, xiii. (ed. 3), 232. Difficulty in distinguishing between the effects of the submarine and supramarine agency of ice.

1855.  J. Phillips, Man. Geol., 157. Millstone grit (*supramedial group).

1826.  Kirby & Sp., Entomol., IV. xlix. 485. Beginning at 84° N. L. he [sc. Latreille] has seven Arctic ones [sc. climates], which he names polar, subpolar, superior, intermediate, *supratropical, tropical, and equatorial.

  b.  Anat. and Zool. Extensively used to form adjectives (some of which are also used ellipt. as sbs.) in the sense ‘Situated above, or on the dorsal side of (sometimes, upon the upper surface of) the part or organ denoted by the second element’: as in mod.L. suprācostālis (costa rib), suprārēnālis SUPRARENAL. = SUPER- 1 b

  Numerous compounds of this class appear in recent Dicts., general and technical; the following is a selection of the more important. The meaning can usually be inferred from that of the second element; where necessary, a brief explanation or reference is added in parentheses. (Cf. SUB- 1 b.)

  Supra-abdo·minal, supra-acro·mial, supra-a·nal, supra-a·ngular (the angular bone of the lower jaw in some vertebrates: cf. ANGULAR 2 a, quot. 1855), supra-aryte·noid, supra-au·ditory, supra-auri·cular, suprabra·nchial, suprabu·ccal, supracæ·cal, supracau·dal, supraco·ndylar, -co·ndyloid (= above a condyle or condyles of the humerus, femur, etc.), supraco·stal, supraco·xal, supracra·nial (= on the upper surface of the cranium), suprado·rsal, supradu·ral (= above the dura mater), supra-e·thmoid, supraglo·ttic (above the glottis), suprahepa·tic (on the upper surface of the liver), suprahy·oid, suprai·liac (= on the upper surface of the ilium), suprama·rginal (spec. above the upper edge of the Sylvian fissure), suprama·stoid, suprana·sal, suprane·rvian, supraneu·ral (= above a neural axis), supranu·clear (NUCLEUS 6 b), supra-o·cular (= above the ocular region, spec. of the small scales in reptiles above the superciliaries; also sb.), supra-œsopha·geal (= on the dorsal side of the œsophagus, applied to a nervous ganglia in invertebrates), suprapapi·llary (= above the biliary papilla), suprape·dal (= above the ‘foot’ of a mollusk), supraphary·ngeal (= supra-œsophageal), suprapu·bian, -pu·bic (hence suprapu·bically adv., above the pubis), suprapy·gal (of plates of the carapace in tortoises; also sb.), suprari·mal (RIMA), suprase·ptal (SEPTUM), suprastape·dial, supraste·rnal, supratro·chlear (TROCHLEA a, b), supratympa·nic, supraventri·cular (VENTRICLE 2).

1835–6.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 114/1. Two *supra-abdominal nervous columns generally extend along the middle of the back.

1840.  G. V. Ellis, Anat., 130. The transversalis humeri artery … ends by dividing into the *supra-acromial and supra-scapular arteries.

1893.  H. Morris, Treat. Hum. Anat., 831. The supra-acromial branches cross the clavicular insertion of the trapezius and the acromion process.

1867.  Lankester, in Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov., 335. The *supra-anal organ is very small.

1835–6.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 277/1. The anterior extremities of the angular and *supra-angular pieces are wedged into corresponding grooves of the symphyseal element.

1896.  Newton, Dict. Birds, 872. The bones forming the right and left Mandibulæ … namely, the Dentals, Splenials, Supra-angulars, Angulars and Articulars.

1872.  Cohen, Dis. Throat, 48. The arytenoid and the *supra-arytenoid cartilages, with their connecting muscle.

1866.  Huxley, Laing’s Preh. Rem. Caithn., 87. The mastoid processes are large, the *supra-auditory ridges strong.

1890.  Billings, Nat. Med. Dict., *Supra-auricular diameter, parietal diameter, inferior.

1916.  Keith, in Man., XVI. 101. Skull of an aged man. Maximum length, 195 mm.; width, 140 mm.;… height (supra-auricular), 116. mm.

1889.  Dunman & Wingrave, Gloss. Terms, *Supra-branchial, applied to the dorsal division of the pallial chamber in the Lamellibranchiata … above the gills, which separate it from the infrabranchial chamber.

1883.  Encycl. Brit., XVI. 665/1. Large special ganglia (optic, stellate, and *supra-buccal) are developed in the higher forms (Siphonopoda).

1901.  P. C. Mitchell, in Trans. Linn. Soc., Zool., Oct., 188. In Spheniscus the portion between the supra-duodenal loop and the rectum … is expanded into a minor fold,… to which I give the name *‘supra-cæcal kink.’

1890.  Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 180. The *supracaudal muscle is the direct continuation backwards of the spinalis dorsi.

1881.  Mivart, Cat, 91. An elongated opening … called the *supracondylar foramen which transmits the median nerve and brachial artery.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VI. 659. Supracondylar fracture may readily implicate the nerve.

1866.  Quain’s Elem. Nat. (ed. 7), II. 385. The occasional prominence called the *supracondyloid process.

1884.  T. Bryant, Pract. Surg. (ed. 4), II. 634. Mr. W. Stokes, of Dublin, advocates … the supra-condyloid amputation of the thigh.

1855.  Ogilvie, Suppl., *Supracostal,… the supra-costal muscles, which raise the ribs.

1890.  Billings, Nat. Med. Dict., Supracostal groove, light furrow sometimes found along upper edge of the body of a rib, at its posterior extremity.

1872.  Humphry, Myology, 21. The *supracoxal part of the pelvis.

1848.  Owen, Homol. Vertebrate Skel., 48. The frontals and parietals, being ossified in *supracranial fibrous membrane.

1889.  Nature, 20 June, 172/1. The … details of the mouth-plates, the *supradorsal membrane,… and other … portions.

1889.  Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., VIII. 232/2. *Supradural branch or ramus parietalis.

1888.  Rolleston & Jackson, Anim. Life, 96. In the Salmon this region [sc. the mesethmoidal cartilage] … is covered by a *supraethmoid bony plate.

1890.  Retrospect Med., CII. 302. The narrowing of the *supraglottic portion of the larynx.

1848.  Dunglison, Med. Lex., s.v. Hepatic, Hepatic Veins or *Suprahepatic veins … open into the vena cava inferior.

1904.  Brit. Med. Jrnl., 17 Sept., 672. In suprahepatic abscess the pus occurs between the layers of the coronary ligament.

1882.  Quain’s Elem. Anat. (ed. 9), I. 292. *Suprahyoid muscles.

1870.  Flower, Osteol. Mammalia, xvii. 285. The ilium is flattened and expanded, and has a greatly extended … *suprailiac border.

1872.  H. A. Nicholson, Palæont., 109. Ananchytidæ … anus … marginal, or *supramarginal.

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 433. The left visual word-centre … is now … supposed to be situated in the angular and possibly in part of the supramarginal convolution.

1893.  H. Morris, Treat. Hum. Anat., 37. A ridge of bone, the *supra-mastoid crest, runs immediately above the external auditory meatus.

1865.  Reader, No. 145. 409/1. The *supranasal notch.

1903.  Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., II. 125. Nostril pierced in a single nasal; no supranasal.

1888.  *Supranervian [see subnervian, SUB- 1 b].

1899.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 623. The *supranuclear connections of the nerve.

1897.  Günther, in Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 696. Two large *supraoculars on each side.

1835–6.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 524/1. The … *supra-œsophageal ganglions are protected by a dense membrane.

1840.  Penny Cycl., XVI, 112/2. The brain, or supraœsophageal mass.

1897.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., III. 723. The duodenum is more extensively dilated [in infra-papillary carcinoma] than in *supra-papillary carcinoma.

1888.  Rolleston & Jackson, Anim. Life, 110. A *supra-pedal gland appears to be present in all Pulmonata.

1878.  Bell, trans. Gegenbaur’s Comp. Anat., 351. There is but one buccal ganglion in the Dibranchiata, and behind it there is a large *supra-pharyngeal ganglion.

1848.  Dunglison, Med. Lex., *Supra-Pubian Nerve, is the internal ramus of the inguino-cutaneous branch of the first lumbar nerve.

1835–6.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., I. 507/1. The shortest route by which the bladder can be reached at this early age is according to the method of the *suprapubic operation. Ibid. (1847–9), IV. 280/1. In the turtles … the suprapubic muscle divides into two fasciculi.

1887.  Brit. Med. Jrnl., I. 1098/2. A suprapubic abscess. Ibid., 1214/2. Suprapubic lithotomy in a boy. Ibid., 204/2. I … proceeded to open the bladder *suprapubically upon the point of an ordinary lithotomy-staff.

1889.  Nicholson & Lydekker, Palæont., II. 1086. While … the nuchal is a cartilage bone, the pygal and *suprapygals are of purely dermal origin.

1893.  H. Morris, Treat. Hum. Anat., 948. The cavity is naturally divided into two portions—*supra- and infra-rimal—divided by the glottis.

1890.  W. H. Benham, in Q. Jrnl. Micros. Sci., XXX. 137. The smaller division of the cœlom, the *supraseptal cavity, is continued into the tentacles and epistome.

1875.  W. K. Parker, in Encycl. Brit., III. 710/2. The short, notched *supra-stapedial … the slender, combined infra-stapedial and stylo-hyal … are still cartilaginous.

1862.  H. W. Fuller, Dis. Lungs, 4. The *supra-sternal is the hollowed space which lies immediately above the notch of the sternum.

1876.  Quain’s Elem. Anat. (ed. 8), I. 27. The occurrence of suprasternal bones in some animals. Ibid. (1882), (ed. 9), I. 27. The upper end [of the sternum] is marked by the deep suprasternal notch.

1836–9.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., II. 280/1. It [sc. the frontal nerve] … ascends round the superciliary arch,… and is thenceforth called by some the external frontal nerve in contradistinction to a branch from itself, the *supra-trochlear, or internal frontal.

1870.  Flower, Osteol. Mammalia, x. 157. The large *supratympanic or mastoid bulla [of Pedetes caffer].

1865.  Reader, 11 March, 288. The *supraventricular masses of the hemispheres [of the brain].

  c.  With sb., denoting a part situated above that denoted by the second element, as mod.L. suprāclāvicula, SUPRACLAVICLE.

  2.  In adverbial relation to the second element: = SUPER- 2. † Supranominated ppl. a., above-named. Supraposition, the action of placing or state of being placed above or upon something; position above; in quot. 1788 = SUPERPOSITION 2. Suprasoriferous a., Bot., bearing sori on the upper surface.

1599.  A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 344/2. Take … of the *supra-nominatede poudre 3. qu. of an ownce.

1683.  E. Hooker, Pref. Pordage’s Mystic Div., 105. The Architypous Globe, or Original Beeing is the Basis … of all other Essences,… brought forth out of the Womb of pure Nature supranominated.

1788.  in E. H. Barker, Parriana (1829), II. 64. Coincidence can only be proved by *supraposition.

1855.  T. R. Jones, Aquarian Nat., 9. Their … steady supraposition upon each other should ensure … stability.

1857.  T. Moore, Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3), 46. Crenato-lobate above, *suprasoriferous.

  3.  In adjectival relation to the sb. constituting or implied in the second element: = SUPER- 3. a. Anat. and Zool. = Superior, upper; (a structure) situated above some other, or forming or belonging to the upper part of (that denoted by the second element): chiefly in mod.L. terms, as supramamma. Also Supracommissure, a commissure of nerve-fibers above and in front of the pineal body.

1889.  Buck’s Handbk. Med. Sci., VIII. 132/1. The diatela … is … continuous with the supracommissure.

1901.  Dorland, Med. Dict. (ed. 2), Supramaxilla … Supra-obliquus … Supraturbinal.

1902.  Amer. Anthropol., IV. 172/1. The significance of the ‘supramamma’ (a sort of rudimentary mamma).

  b.  Anat. and Zool. Prefixed to adjs., or forming derivative adjs. from sbs. in a (sometimes used ellipt. as sbs.): = Pertaining to or situated on the upper… or the upper part of (what is expressed by the second element), as supralabial (the upper lip), supramaxillary (the upper jaw).

1891.  Cent. Dict., *Supralabial.

1904.  Biol. Bulletin, Nov., 293. A black spot, just above the sixth supralabial. Ibid. The supralabials are dusky yellow.

1847–9.  Todd’s Cycl. Anat., IV. 548/1. Its *supra-maxillary part is constituted by one or two large branches.

1872.  Humphry, Myology, 46. The supra-maxillary, or second division of the fifth [nerve].

  II.  Above (in various figurative senses); higher in quality, amount or degree. (Cf. SUPER- 4, 5, 6.)

  4.  a. Prefixed to adjectives: SUPER- 4 a, as supra-Christian, -conscious, -historical, -intellectual, -legal, -local, -mechanical, -moral, -national, -normal (= SUPERNORMAL), -ordinary, -rational; † Supravulgar, that is above the common or ordinary. Also in derived sbs., as supra-rationalism, and advs., as supra-locally.

1867.  Swinburne, Blake (1868), 266. Thus prophesies Blake, in a fury of *supra-Christian dogmatism.

1891.  Jas. Orr, Chr. View God & World, ii. (1893), 70. Hartmann … speaks … of his Absolute … as *supra-conscious.

1902.  E. Wake Cook, in Contemp. Rev., March, 385. Experimental psychical research is throwing great light on the limitations of consciousness, and the importance of the subconscious and supraconscious, or the ‘Subliminal’ self.

1908.  G. Tyrrell, in Hibbert Jrnl., Jan., 436. The intelligence … tries to apprehend the *supra-corporeal in terms of the corporeal.

1894.  N. Buchanan, trans. Harnack’s Hist. Dogma, I. ii. 97. History and doctrine are surrounded by a bright cloud of the *suprahistorical.

1885.  Seth, Scot. Philos., vi. 188. The hungering and thirsting of men’s hearts after … some *supra-intellectual union, with the source of all.

1875.  Digby, Real Prop., vi. (1876), 289. He would … be restrained … by the extra-legal, or, if the expression may be allowed, *supra-legal power of Chancellor.

1852.  Bp. Forbes, Nicene Creed, viii. 146. Immensity … and *supralocal existence, are the qualities of the true God. Ibid., xiii. 227. The supralocal Presence of His Body in the Sacrament of the Altar.

1866.  Clerical Jrnl., 3 May, 422/1. Jesus Christ … offers, and … is offered, on all earthly altars supernaturally and *supralocally.

1740.  Cheyne, Regimen, 3. Impossible … that an Animal Body could have been … formed without a *Supramechanical Organisation.

a. 1894.  G. J. Romanes, Thoughts Relig., I. ii. (1895), 81. Without being *supra-moral, and still less immoral, He may be un-moral.

1908.  R. H. Benson, in Dublin Rev., Oct., 384. One great *Supranational body, in which there should be ‘neither Jew nor Greek.’

1897.  Lang, in Contemp. Rev., Dec., 774. *Supranormal phenomena.

a. 1623.  Swinburne, Treat. Spousals (1686), 22. Yet doth their *supraordinary Understanding … supply that small defect of Age.

1651.  N. Bacon, Disc. Govt. Eng., II. xxx. (1739), 136. The Pope had now usurped a power supra-ordinary over all Appeals.

1894.  N. Buchanan, trans. Harnack’s Hist. Dogma, I. App. iii. 346. The Divine Original Essence is *suprarational.

1882–3.  Schaff’s Encycl. Relig. Knowl., III. 1995. Their … views were designated as supranaturalism, and not as *suprarationalism or irrationalism.

1697.  Collier, Ess. Mor. Subj., I. (1703), 81. To furnish himself with *supravulgar and noble qualities.

  b.  Prefixed to a sb., forming an adj., as supra-state (cf. SUPER- 4 b).

1914.  John Macdonell, in Contemp. Rev., Aug., 200. If there is an inter-State life there is also a supra-State life.

  5.  Prefixed to a sb. = SUPER- 5; as supra-entity.

1647.  Herrick, Noble Numb., Upon God. God is not onely said to be An Ens, but Supraentitie.

  6.  = Higher, superior (cf. SUPER- 6 b), as supra-consciousness, † supra-passion, supra-world.

1914.  19th Cent., July, 121. This *supra-consciousness … is seen … to be independent of the material senses.

1624.  F. White, Repl. Fisher, 538. The merits and *supra-passions of Saints.

1907.  E. E. Fournier d’Albe (title), Two New Worlds. I. The Infra-World. II. The *Supra-World.

  7.  Above in degree or amount, beyond, more than (what is expressed by the second element): with sbs., as supra-centenarian (so su:pracentenarianism), or adjs., as supramaximal, supra-optimal (also ellipt. as sbs., sc. temperature); Supraquantivalent a., more than equivalent, higher in ideal than real value; so supraquantivalence.

1870.  Scoffern, Stray Leaves Sci. & Folk-lore, 470. I do not find that women figure as *supra-centenarians in any way comparable to men.

1881.  W. D. Macray, Index Registers Ducklington, Pref. One case of *supra-centenarianism is recorded; the ‘old widow Knapp’ was buried 10 March 1727, at the age of 105.

1905.  B. M. Duggar, in Science, 23 June, 948/2. Death at the *supramaximal or subminimal may be due to changes of a very definite nature. R. M. Yerkes, in Ibid. (1904), 2 Dec., 751/1. This reaction is repeated as long as an effective *supraoptimal or suboptimal temperature continues.

1903.  C. Wernicke, in Alien. & Neurol., Feb., 50 (Cent. Dict., Suppl.). Occupation is very especially suited to produce a *supraquantivalence of certain ideas. Ibid. We had previously considered as the basis of the *supraquantivalent idea the frequent repetition, possibly intentional practice of definite trains of thought.

  8.  Before in time; = SUPER- 8; as in SUPRALAPSARIAN; so † Supra-creatarian, one who believes that in the divine decrees the purpose of election and reprobation was antecedent to that of creation; also as adj.

1660.  Heylin, Hist. Quinquart., III. 61. According to the Supra-lapsarian, or Supra-creatarian way. Ibid., 64. The Supra-lapsarians … (or Supra-creatarians rather, as a late judicious Writer calls them).

  III.  In the highest or to a very high degree.

  9.  Very highly, extremely, = SUPER- 9 a, b: as supra-censorious, supra-feminine, supra-fine (= SUPERFINE), supra-sensitive (= SUPERSENSITIVE), supra-subtle (= SUPERSUBTLE), adjs.; supragravitate, supra-parasite (with it, to play the parasite to excess), supra-saturate (= SUPERSATURATE), vbs.

1901.  Westm. Gaz., 31 Aug., 5/2. This *supra-censorious censorship of minor news.

1883.  Fortn. Rev., July, 117. A *supra-feminine love of softness and splendour.

1819.  Syd. Smith, Game Laws, Wks. 1859, I. 259/1. The *supra-fine country gentleman.

1672.  Flamsteed, in Rigaud, Corr. Sci. Men (1841), II. 139. The apogæon part of the system may contain more of matter … and consequently … may *supragravitate and incline the axis towards the synodical line.

1654.  Gayton, Pleas. Notes, III. vi. 108. The slave Sancho doth *supra-parasite it.

1770.  Phil. Trans., LXI. 341. Till the fluids are (if I may use that expression) *supra-saturated with the acid.

1893.  W. H. Hudson, Idle Days Patagonia, xii. 194. *Suprasensitive retinae in times of excitement become increasedly phosphorescent.

1894.  Athenæum, 13 Jan., 47/2. The same *suprasubtle unraveller of mysteries [sc. Sherlock Holmes].

  IV.  10. Expressing addition; involving addition or repetition (cf. SUPER- 13, 14, 15): as † supra-addition (= SUPERADDITION 2), supra-compound (= a compound of a compound, a compound of more than two elements). † Suprabipartient = super-bipartient (see SUPER- 14). Supradecompound, Supradecomposite adjs. Bot., additionally decompound; triply or more than triply compound.

a. 1706.  Evelyn, Hist. Relig. (1850), II. 46. These … were the doctrines and *supra-additions of the Scribes and Pharisees.

1753.  Hogarth, Anal. Beauty, xi. 136. The length of the foot…, in respect to the breadth, makes a double *suprabipartient, a diapason, and a diatesseron.

1791.  Hamilton, trans. Berthollet’s Dyeing, I. I. i. 22. At other times they unite with the salts and form *supracompounds.

1816.  J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 532. Acids, alkalies, [etc.] … may sometimes form supra-compounds with the cloth, and thereby change its colour.

1753.  Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., s.v. Leaf, *Supradecomposite Leaf, one which has the common petiole divided more than twice. Ibid., s.v. Leaf (Compound), The *supradecompound [leaf].

1777.  S. Robson, Brit. Flora, 204. Hemloc Dropwort. Leaves supradecompound.

1874.  Garrod & Baxter, Mat. Med., 225. The leaves are supra-decompound, the leaflets oblong and ovate.