Etymologically
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superior

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [sʊˈpɛ.ri.ɔr][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [suˈpɛː.ri.or][1]

Forms

superior (comparative, neuter superius, superlative suprēmus or superrimus or superrumus or summus, adverb superius); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is the comparative of superus “upper”, from super “above”.[2][1][3] Its superlatives are suprēmus and summus.[1]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of the upper storeys, and Cato, of the upper part.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant higher in position, upper, as in Cato and Plautus, and in Cicero ex superiōre locō loquī to speak from a platform, and in Apuleius of an outer garment.[2] In Cicero it meant further inland or upstream, in Caesar further along the coast, and in Plautus further left at table.[2] It meant preceding in a text, as in the Rhetorica ad Herennium, and in Cicero earlier in time, superiōrēs predecessors, and the elder of two of the same name.[2] In Cicero it meant higher in rank or age, and in Gellius higher in pitch.[2] From Plautus it meant stronger, better, and in Caesar victorious, superior discēdere.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant upper, higher, former, and as a noun a superior, a person in charge.[5] It survives in Italian superiore and French supérieur, and Old French superior gave English superior in the late 14th century.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of upper storeys.[2][4]
  • 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of the upper part.[2][4]
  • c. 50 BC – Caesar uses superior discēdere.[2][4]
  • late 14th century – English superior is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Higher, upper; outer.[2]
  2. Further inland or upstream.[2]
  3. Preceding; above-mentioned.[2]
  4. Earlier; as a noun, predecessors; the elder.[2]
  5. Higher in rank, age or pitch.[2]
  6. Stronger, better; victorious.[2]
  7. (Ecclesiastical Latin) As a noun, a superior.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson