superessential 
superessential (su"per-e-sen'Hlml), <i. 
substantial; of a nature which transcends mere 
being anil essence: applied to tho One by Ilie 
Platonic philoMiphcrs, especially Proclus. 
superethical (su-p6r-th'f-kl), a. Transcend- 
ing Hie ordinary rules of ethics; more than 
ethical. 
Moral theology contains a xttiM-rrthical doctrine, aa some 
Ki.iv.- divines have ri<licillmlly called It. 
r., Authority in Matters of Religion, 6. 
superexalt (sii'per-cg-zalt'), v. t. [< L. super- 
i:rnlliirc, exalt above others, < super, above, + 
i.niltare, exalt: see exalt.'] To exalt to a su- 
perior lichee. 
She was mper-exalttd by an honour greater than the 
world yet ever saw. Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I. 31. 
superexaltation (su-per-eks-al-ta'shon), it. 
Elevation above the common degree. Holy- 
day. 
superexceed (su/per-ek-sod'), v. t. [< LL. su- 
fu n .milcre, exceed, < super, above, + excedere, 
exceed: see exceed.] To exceed greatly; sur- 
pass in large measure. [Rare.] 
Tin.- great Nature Naturant . . . 
Which All things Holds, Fills All, doth All Embrace, 
Super-exceedes, Sustalnes ; and in One place. 
Ueywood, Hierarchy of Angels, p. 78. 
superexcellence (su-per-ek'se-lens), n. [< su- 
[ i-t'jcfetli'ii(t) + -re.] Superior excellence. 
auperexcellent (su-per-ek'se-lent), a. [< LL. 
xii i>< i-ij-fi 'llen(t-)a, very excellent, < super, above, 
+ ejccellfn(t-)s, excellent: see excellent.'] Excel- 
lent in an uncommon or superior degree ; very 
excellent. 
One is Three, not in the confusion of Substance, but 
vnltie of Person ; and this is the first and super -excellent 
Commlxtion. lleyumod, Hierarchy of Angels, p. 310. 
superexcitation (su-per-ek-si-ta'shon), n. Ex- 
cessive excitation. 
Disturbances of the sensibility produce super excitation 
which is subsequently replaced by exhaustion. 
Pop. Sd. Mo., XXXI. 816. 
superexcrescence (su'per-eks-kres'ens), . A 
superfluous outgrowth. Wiseman, Surgery. 
superfamily (su'per-fam'i-li), n. In biol., a 
group of families, or a group of a grade next 
above the family. Thus, the monkeys of the New 
World constitute a superfamily, Ceboidea or Platyrrhina, 
contrasting with those of the Old World, Simiaidea or Co- 
tarrhina. The superfamily formally intervenes between 
the family and the suborder; some authors are fond of 
this i i-ii n,. mi-Hi, and the term Is much used; but the dif- 
ference between a suborder and a superfamily is not ob- 
vious. 
superfecundation (su-per-fek-un-da'shon), n. 
The fertilization of two ova at the same men- 
struation by two different acts of coition. This 
unquestionably occurs in woman. 
superfecundity (su'per-fe-kun'di-ti), n. Su- 
perabundant fecundity, or multiplication of the 
species. Macaulay, Sadler's Bef. Refuted. 
superfetate (su-per-fe'tat), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
superfetated, ppr. super) stating. [Formerly also 
superfcetate; < Ij.superfetatus, pp.ofsuperfetare, 
conceive anew when already pregnant, < super, 
above, + fetare, bring forth, breed: see/c<i.] 
To conceive after a prior conception. 
The female brings forth twice In one month, and so is 
said to superfetate, which ... is because her eggs are 
hatched in her one after another. .V. Grew, 31useum. 
superfetation (su'per-fe-ta'shon), n. [For- 
merly also superf oetation ; = F. superfetation = 
Sp. superfetacion = Pg. siiperfetaySo = It. super- 
fetazione, < L. as if "superfetatio(n-), < superfe- 
tare, superfetate: see superfetate.'] 1. A sec- 
ond conception some time after a prior one, by 
which two fetuses of different age exist to- 
gether in the same female : often used figura- 
tively. The possibility of superfetation in the human 
female has been the subject of much investigation, but the 
weight of evidence goes to show that it may occur not only 
with double uteri, but also In the earlier period of preg- 
nancy, under rare conditions, with normal single uterus. 
Also called supercoiiception. 
Here is tupnrfetation, child upon child, and, that which 
is more strange, twins at a latter conception. 
Doime, Letters, Ixv. 
2. The fetus produced by superfetation; hence, 
any excrescent growth. [Rare.] 
It then became a superfetation upon, and not an ingre- 
dient in, the national character. Coleridge. 
superfetet (su-per-fef), . [Also superfeete; < 
OF. superfeter, superfceter, < L. superfetare, su- 
perfetate : see superfetate.'} I. intrans. To su- 
perfetate. 
It makes me pregnant and to superfete. 
HoweU, Poem to Charles I., 1641. 
E[. trans. To conceive after a former con- 
ception. 
381 
0005 
His Hrain may very well raise and superfcete a second 
Thought. UuvfU, Letters, Iv. 19. 
superfibrination (su-per-fi-bri-na'shon), n. 
Excessive tendency to form fibrin, or excess of 
fibrin in the blood, 
superficet (su'per-lis), n. [< ME. superfice, < OF. 
itiijifrjirc, surface : see XH/H i-fidi.i, aurfari:] Su- 
perficies; surface. 
The zodlak in hevene Is ymagened to be a superfice con- 
tienyng a latitude of 12 degrees. Chaucer, Astrolabe, i. 21. 
The turned in water . . . tilling the dusty trenches and 
long empty ed cisterns, and a while after covering in many 
places the superfices of the land. Sandys, Travailes, p. 76. 
superficial(su-pcr-fish'al),</. [OIK. -</ rjicinl, 
< OF. superficiel, F. superficiel = I'r. Sp. Pg. su- 
perficial = It. superficial, < lAj. superficial/*, of 
or pertaining to the surface: seo KH/K / \Hi-ii x. ] 
1. Lying in or on, or pertaining to, the super- 
ficies or surface ; not penetrating below the sur- 
face, literally or figuratively; being only on the 
surface ; not reaching to the interior or essence ; 
shallow: as, & superficial co\ot; a superficial re- 
semblance. 
Win-line the must boileth scome of the grape 
That wol rise and be superficial^, 
So take hem that nought oon of hem escape. 
Palladia*, Husbondrle (E. E. T. .), p. 302. 
The discovery of flint tools or celts In the superficial 
formations In many parts of the world. 
Darwin, Origin of Species, p. 31. 
2. Of persons or their mental states or acts, 
comprehending only what is apparent or ob- 
vious ; not deep or profound ; not thorough. 
This superficial tale 
Is but a preface of her worthy praise. 
Shale., I Hen. VL, v. 8. 10. 
Their knowledge Is so very superficial, and so 111- 
gronnded, that It Is impossible for them to describe In 
what consists the beauty of these works. Dryden. 
For how miserable will our Case be. If we have nothing 
but a superficial Faith, and a sort of Anniversary Devo- 
tion. StiUinr/fleet, Sermons', III. Ix. 
He [Temple] seems to have been . . . a lively, agreeable 
young man of fashion, not by any means deeply read, but 
versed In all the superficial accomplishments of a gentle- 
man. Macaulay, Sir William Temple. 
Even the most practised and earnest minds must needs 
be superficial in the greater part of their attainments. 
,/. //. Newman, Gram, of Assent, p. 52. 
3. In limit., not deep-seated or profound ; lying 
on the surface of some part, or near but not on 
the surface of the whole body ; subcutaneous ; 
cutaneous: specifically said of various tissues 
and structures Superficial content or contents. 
See content'*. Superficial deposits, the most recent of 
the geological formations ; unconsolidated detrital mate- 
rial lying on or near the surface, and generally nnstrati- 
fled, or only very rudely stratified. Most of what is called 
diluvium, drift, or alluvium might be called by geologists 
a superficial deposit, especially if spoken of with reference 
to much older formations lying beneath. Superficial 
fascia, see/owia, "(a). Superficial reflexes, see re- 
/lex. Superficial stomatitis. See stomatitis. =Syn. 1. 
External, exterior, outer. 2. Slight, smattering, shallow. 
superficialist (su-per-fish'al-ist), n. [< super- 
ficial + -ist.~] One who attends to anything 
superficially; one of superficial attainments ; a 
sciolist ; a smatterer. uerne. Beauties of Paris, 
1.68. 
superficiality (su-per-fish-i-al'i-ti), n.; pi. su- 
perficialities (-tiz). [= F. superficiality = Sp. 
superficialidad = Pg. superficialidade = It. su- 
perficialita,<.IAj.*superficialita(t-)s, superficial- 
ness, < superficialis, superficial : see superficial. 
Cf. superficially.] 1. The character of being 
superficial, in any (literal or figurative) sense ; 
want of depth or thoroughness ; shallowness. 
She despised superficiality, and looked deeper than the 
color of things. Lamb, Mrs. Battle on Whist. 
2. That which is superficial or shallow, in any 
(literal or figurative) sense; a superficial per- 
son or thing. 
Purchasing acquittal ... by a still harder penalty, 
that of being a triviality, superficiality, self-advertiser, and 
partial or total quack. Carlyle, Mirabeau. 
superficialize (su-per-fish'al-iz), v.; pret. and 
superfluity 
superficialness (su-per-fisli'ai-m >i. . The 
-inte or character of being superficial, in any 
/Siiilci/. 
SUperficialtyt (HU-per-fish'al-ti), n. f< ME. *- 
/H-i-jii-iiillir, < OF. "HH/II riii-inltf, < LL. "super- 
Hi -in I ita(t-)s, superficialness: see superficiality.] 
Superficies. 
In als many lorneyes may thel gon fro Jerusalem unto 
'itheri 'iiniynyeiof UuiHuperJIcialiieiitOui Erthe bezonde. 
Mandeville, Travels, p. 183. 
superficiary (HU-per-fish'i-a-ri), a. and w. [= 
F. XH in rjii'i"n-i- = Pr. superficial-! = Sp. It. tu- 
/:* ni, : ii fi. < I, I.. >///i< i : !i' '<n tug. -ii i<;it'-'l n 'iii- 
man's land, < L. superficies, surface : see 
[Rare.] 
It is a characteristic weakness of the day to superficial- 
ize evil ; to spread a little cold cream over Pandemonium. 
Whipple, Lit and Life, p. 188. 
II. intrans. To be superficial or shallow; 
think, feel, or write superficially. [Rare.] 
Better to elaborate the history of Greece or of Rome or 
nf England than to tuprrfieialiu In general history. 
The Galaxy, March, 1871, p. 328. 
superficially (sii-per-nsh'al-i), adv. In a su- 
perficial manner, in any sense of the word super- 
ficial. Goldsmith. 
, . , 
superficies.] I. a. 1. Of or pertaining to the 
superficies or surf ace ; superficial. 2. In lav, 
situated on another's land. IV. Smith. 
II. n. ; pi. supcrficiaries (-riz). In law, one 
to whom a right of surface is granted ; one who 
pays the quit-rent of a house built on another 
man's ground. 
superficies (su-per-fish'iez), . [= F. superficie 
= Pr. superficia = Sp. Pg. It. superficie, ? L. su- 
perficies, the upper side, the top, surface, super- 
ficies, < super, above, + fades, form, figure, 
face: see/ace 1 .] 1. A boundary between two 
bodies; a surface. 
Here's nothing but 
A superficies ; colours, and no substance. 
Massinger, City Madam, r. 8. 
The most part of ... [the wells] would ebbe and flow 
as the Sea did, and be leuell or little higher then the tu- 
pfrficiettit the sea. Capt, John Smith, Works, II. 112. 
2. In eiril law, the right which one person might 
have over a building or other thing in or upon 
the surface of the land of another person. Also 
used for such thing Itself, if so united with the land as 
to form a part of It. = 8yn. 1. Surface, etc. See outside. 
superfine (su-per-fin'), a. [< F.siqterfin = Sp. 
Vg.sii2>erfino; as super- + fine?,] 1. Veryfine, 
or most fine; surpassing others in fineness: 
as, superfine cloth. 2. Excessively or faulti- 
ly subtle; over-subtle; over-refined Superfine 
file. See/!fei. 
superfineness (su-per-fin'nes), n. The charac- 
ter of being superfine. 
superftnical (su-per-fin'i-kal), a. Excessively 
finical. See supenerviceab'le. 
A ... superfinical rogue. Shak., Lear, II. 2 (quartos). 
superflut (su'per-flo), a. [ME., < OF. superflu: 
see superfluous.] Superfluous. 
A stene of wyne a poundes quantftee 
Of hem receyve, alle leves superflu 
Ikiste away, and thai that paled greu. 
Pattadius, Husbondrie (E. E. T. S.), p. 168. 
superfluence (su-per'flij-ens), n. [< super- 
fluen(t) + -ce.] Superfluity; more than is 
necessary. [Rare.] 
The suprrfluence of grace. Hammond. 
superfluentt (su-per'flij-ent), a. [< ME. super- 
fluent, < L. superfluen(t-)s, ppr. of superfluere, 
overflow, run over, < super, over, + fluere, flow : 
see fluent.] 1. Floating on the surface. 
After this tyme In handes clene uphent 
Alle that wol swymme and be superfiuent. 
Pattadius, Husbondrie(E. E. T. S.), p. 204. 
2. Abundant; in profusion; superfluous. 
In November kytt of the bowes drie, 
Superfluetit, and thicke, eke utter trie. 
Palladium, Husbondrie (E. E. T. a), p. 64. 
superfluitancet (su-ner-flo'i-tans), n. [<super- 
fluitan(t) + -ce.] The act or condition of float- 
ing above or on the surface ; that which floats 
on the surface. 
Out of the cream or superfluitance the finest dishes, salth 
he, are made. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., 11. 5. 
superfluitant (su-per-flo'i-tant), a. [< tuper- 
fluit-y + -ant.] Floating above or on the sur- 
face. [Rare.] 
The vapor of the superfluitant atmosphere. 
Amer. Jour. Set, Sd ser., XXIX. 389. 
superfluity (su-per-flS'i-ti), . ; pi. superfluities 
(-tiz). [< OF. superfluite, F. superfluity = Pr. 
superfluitat = Sp. sitperfluidad = Pg. superflui- 
dade = It. superfluity, < ML. superfluita(t-)n, 
that which is superfluous or unnecessary, < L. 
superfluus, superfluous: see sttperfl uous.] 1. A 
quantity that is superfluous or in excess; a 
greater quantity than is wanted; superabun- 
dance; redundancy. 
I would have you to refresh, to cherish, and to help 
them with your superfluity. Latimer, Misc. Selections. 
Superfluity of drink 
Deceives the eye, * makes the heart misthink. 
Times' Whistle (E. E. T. S.), p. 87. 
2. That which is in excess of what is wanted ; 
especially, something used for show or luxury 
