superior Latin · revision 8005

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Plautus|origins=la super}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [sʊˈpɛ.ri.ɔr]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [suˈpɛː.ri.or]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''superior''' (comparative, neuter superius, superlative suprēmus or superrimus or superrumus or summus, adverb superius); third declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is the comparative of [[superus]] “upper”, from [[super]] “above”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) Its superlatives are [[suprēmus]] and [[summus]].^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citations are from Plautus, of the upper storeys, and Cato, of the upper part.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant higher in position, upper, as in Cato and Plautus, and in Cicero ''ex superiōre locō loquī'' to speak from a platform, and in Apuleius of an outer garment.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant further inland or upstream, in Caesar further along the coast, and in Plautus further left at table.^(OLD 2012) It meant preceding in a text, as in the ''Rhetorica ad Herennium'', and in Cicero earlier in time, ''superiōrēs'' predecessors, and the elder of two of the same name.^(OLD 2012) In Cicero it meant higher in rank or age, and in Gellius higher in pitch.^(OLD 2012) From Plautus it meant stronger, better, and in Caesar victorious, ''superior discēdere''.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant upper, higher, former, and as a noun a superior, a person in charge.^(Stelten 1995) It survives in Italian ''superiore'' and French ''supérieur'', and Old French ''superior'' gave [[en|superior]] in the late 14th century.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of upper storeys.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of the upper part.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar uses ''superior discēdere''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * late 14th century – English ''superior'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Higher, upper; outer.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Further inland or upstream.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Preceding; above-mentioned.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Earlier; as a noun, predecessors; the elder.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Higher in rank, age or pitch.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Stronger, better; victorious.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' As a noun, a [[m|en|superior]].^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[superus]]

+ * [[super]]

+ * [[summus]]

+ * [[suprēmus]]

+ * [[en|superior]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}