| super- | 1. <prefix> A prefix signifying above, over, beyond, and hence often denoting in a superior position, in excess, over and above, in addition, exceedingly; as in superimpose, supersede, supernatural, superabundance. 2. <chemistry> A prefix formerly much used to denote that the ingredient to the name of which it was prefixed was present in a large, or unusually large, proportion as compared with the other ingredients; as in calcium superphosphate. It has been superseded by per-, bi-, di-, acid, etc. (as peroxide, bicarbonate, disulphide, and acid sulphate), which retain the old meanings of super-, but with sharper definition. Cf. Acid, Bi-, Di-, and Per-. Origin: L. Super over, above; akin to Gr, L. Sub under, and E. Over. See Over, and cf. Hyper-, Sub-, Supra-, Sur-. (29 Oct 1998) |
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