super-

Forms

super-^[1][2]

Etymology

It is the adverb and preposition super used as a prefix, in the senses of both.^[1][2][3] De Vaan derives super from Proto-Italic *super(i) (“above”) and Proto-Indo-European *(h₁)uper(i) (“over, above”), with an ⟨s-⟩ added in Latin as in sub; it is cognate with Ancient Greek ὑπέρ (hupér, “over, above”) and Sanskrit उपरि (upári, “above”).^[4]

Semantic evolution

The prefix forms verbs, nouns and adjectives with the senses of the adverb and preposition: position over or above, motion over or upon, addition, excess, and what is left over.^[1][3] Etymonline notes that most Latin compounds with it are post-classical, and that in Medieval Latin and the Romance languages it can be confused with suprā.^[3] Through Old French it became ⟨sur-⟩, as in English survive from supervīvō.^[3]

Meanings

Prefix

1. over, above, on top: superpōnō, superficiēs.^[1][2][3]
2. Upon, onto (of motion or arrival): superveniō.^[1]
3. In addition, besides.^[1][3]
4. beyond, in excess: superfluō, supervacuus.^[1][3]
5. Remaining over, surviving: supersum, superstes, supervīvō.^[1]

Word family

• supersum
• superveniō
• supervīvō
• superpōnō
• superstes
• superficiēs
• superfluō
• supervacuus
• supersedeō
• supercilium

Related words

• super
• superus
• suprā
• English super-

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
2. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
3. ^ a b c d e f g Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill