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superioritas

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Etymology and origin of the Latin word superioritas

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1240–1292 Roger Bacon More words from the 13th century
Ultimate origin
Latin superior
Etymology tree
inherited borrowed derived
Latin superus
Latin superior
French supérieur
Italian superiore
Spanish superior
Latin superioritās
From the same root
Latin superī ← superus
Latin superō ← superus
Latin suprā ← superus
Latin suprēmus ← superus
Latin superius ← superior
Spanish superioridad ← superior

Forms

superioritās f (genitive superioritātis); third declension[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin superior + -tās.[2][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is a medieval word.[1] Roger Bacon uses it for the state of being higher, beside inferioritas and posterioritas.[2]

Semantic evolution

Besides the state of being higher, it meant pre-eminence over others, as in Duns Scotus.[2] Its main use was feudal and political: overlordship or supreme authority, as in the English king's claim to be overlord of the kingdom of Scotland in 1292, or in the exemption of the diocese of Ossory in 1351 from the jurisdiction and superiority of its archbishop.[2][3] In Ireland it named the office of the chief officer of a borough,[2] and an inventory of 1476 uses it for the upper part of a castle.[4]

English superiority (late 15th century) comes from it or from Old French.[5]

Timeline

  • 1240–1292 – Roger Bacon uses it for the state of being higher.[2]
  • 1292 – The Rolls of Parliament use it of the English king's overlordship of Scotland.[2][1]
  • 1286–1308 – Duns Scotus uses it for pre-eminence.[2]
  • 1476 – An inventory uses it for the upper part of a castle.[4]
  • late 15th century – English borrows it as superiority, partly through Old French.[5]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The state of being higher, superiority.[2]
  2. Pre-eminence over others.[2]
  3. (feudal law) Overlordship, supreme authority, supremacy.[3][2][1]
  4. (Ireland) The office of the chief officer or sovereign of a borough.[2]
  5. The upper part (of a building).[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  4. ^ a b c du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  5. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Superioritas.” Etymologically, 8 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/la/superioritas. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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