Etymologically
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super-

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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

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