super Italian · revision 38920

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1954, Giovanni Testori|origins=la super}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /ˈsu.per/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''super''' (invariable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the prefix [[super-]] used as an independent word, “of the highest quality”.^(DELI 1999)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010) The prefix is [[der|la|super|t=over, above]], and Devoto–Oli, Treccani and Wiktionary derive the word directly from it.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Treccani 2011)^(Wiktionary) The inherited outcome of the Latin word is [[sopra]].^(Wiktionary)^(REW 1935)

+

+ The Latin word goes back to [[itc-pro|*super]] and [[ine-pro|*upér|t=over, above]], and its cognates include [[grc|ὑπέρ|tr=hupér]], [[sa|उपरि|tr=upári]] and [[got|𐌿𐍆𐌰𐍂|tr=ufar]]; the initial /s/ is a Latin addition, as in [[m|la|sub]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ GRADIT's first record is Giovanni Testori's ''Il dio di Roserio'' of 1954, as an invariable adjective “excellent, of superior quality”, placed after the noun.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Nocentini 2010) Zingarelli dates it to 1936, and DELI only to 1960.^(Zingarelli 2010)^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From 1960 it also stood alone, as a feminine noun, for ''benzina super'', high-octane petrol;^(DELI 1999)^(Treccani 2011) Treccani notes that this fuel is no longer sold for cars.^(DELI 1999)^(Treccani 2011) As a masculine noun it rarely means “the very best, the ''non plus ultra''”, as in Palazzeschi.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010) In labour contracts it marks a grade just below the next category, as in ''quadri super''.^(GDLI) In colloquial use it means “great, terrific”, of a party, a trip or a book.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1936 – Zingarelli's date for the first record.^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ * 1954 – Giovanni Testori uses ''super'' in ''Il dio di Roserio''.^(GRADIT 2003)

+ * 1960 – ''Super'' “high-octane petrol” is recorded.^(DELI 1999)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(invariable, after the noun)'' Of top quality, [[m|en|excellent]]: ''un olio super''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(colloquial)'' Great, [[m|en|terrific]]: ''È stata una gita super.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(feminine)'' Premium [[m|en|petrol]], ''benzina super'': ''Ho messo trenta litri di super.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(masculine, uncommon)'' The very best, the utmost.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sopra]]

+ * [[la|super]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Super'' is also a shortening of ''superfosfato'', superphosphate fertiliser,^(GRADIT 2003)^(Wiktionary) and colloquially of ''supermercato'', “supermarket”.^(Treccani 2011)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}