Etymologically
Log in

superplus

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 24 October 2026 at 18:47. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Forms

superplus n (indeclinable)[1] Medieval spellings include sureplūs, supplūs and surplūs.[2][3] British sources also have superplusium and superplusum.[3]

Etymology

It is formed from Latin super (“over, above”) + plūs (“more”) in Medieval Latin.[3][2][4] The DMLBS compares the vernacular ⟨surplus⟩ of Anglo-Norman.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the Domesday Book super plus, written as two words, refers to what Picot seized beyond the dues paid to the sheriff.[3]

Semantic evolution

The word named a surplus, an excess or a balance remaining from a sum,[1][3] and also an increment or an investment.[1] Du Cange defines it as what is left over a certain sum, which the French call le surplus.[5] The phrase de superplus meant “in addition”.[3]

Through Old French sorplus it is the source of English surplus.[4]

Timeline

  • 1085–1086 – The Domesday Book has super plus.[3][6]
  • 1105 – Köbler dates its first use, citing Niermeyer.[2]
  • 1130 – A pipe roll speaks of the surplus of animals on certain manors.[3]
  • 1205 – A close roll has the spelling supplus.[3]
  • late 14th century – English borrows it from Old French as surplus.[4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (Medieval Latin) Surplus, excess, balance remaining.[1][3][5]
  2. (Medieval Latin) An increment, an investment.[1]
  3. (Medieval Latin) de superplus: in addition.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  2. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  3. ^ 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
  4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  5. ^ a b du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
  6. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin