super English · revision 3381

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1837|origins=la super}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈsuː.pə/, /ˈsjuː-/, US /ˈsuː.pɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a shortening of various English words beginning with [[super-]],^(SOED 2002)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la|super|t=above, over, beyond]].^(Etymonline) The adjective comes especially from [[superfine]], denoting the highest grade of goods,^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) and the noun from [[supernumerary]] and [[superintendent]], among others.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The adjective “first-rate, excellent”: 1837,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) implied in ''extra-super'' in Dickens's ''Pickwick Papers'' and recorded alone in 1842.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In trade use ''super'' meant “superficial”, of measurements, from 1833, and “superfine” from 1842.^(OED 1989) As a general term of approval it is in slang by 1895, and was revived in slang by 1967.^(Etymonline) ''Super-duper'' is from 1940.^(Etymonline) As an adverb, “extremely”, it is from 1946.^(MWU 2024)^(MW Collegiate) The noun is a supernumerary actor by 1838^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a superintendent by 1857, at first the overseer of a sheep station in Australia.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) High-octane petrol is ''super'' by 1965.^(Etymonline) An older noun ''super'', a balance left over, short for Latin [[m|la|insuper]], is from 1626.^(OED 1989)^(SOED 2002) In American bookbinding, ''super'' is a thin starched cotton mesh used to reinforce spines, from the early 20th century.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1626 – a balance remaining over.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1833 – trade use, superficial.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1837 – first-rate.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1838 – a supernumerary actor.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1857 – a superintendent.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1940 – ''super-duper''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1946 – adverb, extremely.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1965 – high-octane petrol.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(informal)'' [[excellent|alt=Excellent]]; first-rate.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Very large or extreme.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(informal)'' Extremely; especially.^(AHD)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A superintendent, as of an apartment building.^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ # A [[supernumerary]], especially an extra in a play or film.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # A product of superior grade, such as high-octane [[petrol]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(bookbinding)'' A starched cotton mesh used to reinforce the spines of books.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[super-duper]]

+ * [[Super Bowl]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[super-]]

+ * [[superb]]

+ * [[superior]]

+ * [[supreme]]

+ * [[superfine]]

+ * [[supernumerary]]

+ * [[superintendent]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Scots, Yorkshire and West Country dialect ''super'' was a shortened form of ''superintendent''.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}