Main Entry:

¹su·pe·ri·or

Pronunciation:

\su̇-ˈpir-ē-ər\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin, comparative of superus upper, from super over, above — more at over

Date:

14th century

1: situated higher up : upper2: of higher rank, quality, or importance3: courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)4 a: greater in quantity or numbers <escaped by superior speed> b: excellent of its kind : better <her superior memory>5: being a superscript6 aof an animal structure : situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part <a superior artery> bof a plant structure : situated above or near the top of another part: as (1)of a calyx : attached to and apparently arising from the ovary (2)of an ovary : free from the calyx or other floral envelope 7: more comprehensive <a genus is superior to a species>8: affecting or assuming an air of superiority : supercilious

— su·pe·ri·or·ly adverb