superlativus

Forms

superlātīvus (feminine superlātīva, neuter superlātīvum); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin superlātus (“exaggerated, hyperbolic”),^[2][1] the perfect participle that served superferō (“to carry over or beyond”).^[3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The grammarian Charisius uses it of the superlative degree of an adjective.^[2][3][6]

Semantic evolution

It was a term of the Latin grammarians, used both as an adjective (gradus superlativus) and as a noun for the superlative, beside the positive and the comparative;^[3][7] Diomedes, Priscian, Servius and Cledonius use it.^[3][7] Diomedes also applies it to words that serve to express the superlative.^[6][7] Isidore uses it of exaggerated, hyperbolic statements.^[2][6]

In medieval British Latin it also meant highest or most exalted, beside the grammatical sense.^[8] English took it in the late 14th century from Old French and Late Latin, in the sense “supreme, most excellent”.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 362 AD – Charisius uses it of the superlative degree.^[3][4]
• 2nd half of the 4th century AD – Diomedes uses it of words expressing the superlative.^[6][4]
• c. 560–636 AD – Isidore uses it of hyperbolic statements.^[2][4]
• late 14th century – English borrows it as superlative, “supreme, most excellent”.^[5]

Meanings

Adjective

1. (grammar) Superlative, in the superlative degree; as a noun, the superlative.^[2][3]
2. Serving to express the superlative.^[6][7]
3. Hyperbolic, exaggerated.^[2][6]
4. (Medieval Latin) Highest, most exalted.^[8]

Related words

• English superlative

Usage notes

The adverb is superlātīvē, “in the superlative”, also in Charisius.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
3. ^ a b c d e f Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
6. ^ a b c d e f Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b c d Conte, Gian Biagio; Pianezzola, Emilio; Ranucci, Giuliano (2010), il Latino: Vocabolario della lingua latina, 3rd ed., Florence: Le Monnier
8. ^ a b 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