super-, supra-, sur-

Infestation of parasites by other parasites; that is, parasites on other parasites.

1. Above or beyond what is physical; hyperphysical.
2. Exceeding or going beyond the purely physical.
3. Not explained by known physical laws; preternatural or supernatural.

1. An extremely powerful nation: A superpower, like the U.S.A. or Russia, is capable of influencing international events and the acts and policies of less powerful countries.
2. Power greater in scope or magnitude than that which is considered natural or has previously existed: Perhaps the coronavirus COVID-19 can be considered to be a superpower in that millions of people died because of it all over the world.
3. Power: A superpower can be a mechanical or electric power, on an extremely large scale secured by the linking together of a number of separate power systems, with a view to more efficient and economical generation and distribution.

1. To cause (a chemical solution) to be more highly concentrated than is normally possible under given conditions of temperature and pressure.
2. To cause (a vapor) to exceed the normal saturation vapor pressure at a given temperature.

1. The production of a solution, usually by evaporation of a solvent; which is more concentrated than one in equilibrium with pure solute.
2. An amount of a substance greater than that required for saturation as a result of having been cooled from a higher temperature to a temperature below that at which saturation occurs.

1. To write (words, letters, one's name, address, etc.) above or on something; such as, to superscribe one's name and address on an envelope.
2. To inscribe or mark with writing at the top or on the outside or surface of; put an inscription above or on: "The author was busy trying to superscribe the cover of a text with corrections."

To write or print something such as a name or address above, outside, or on the surface of something else.

A superscript is a number, figure, or symbol that appears above the normal line of type, at the right or left of another symbol or text.

Superscripts are often used, with various meanings, in formulas, mathematical expressions, or descriptions of chemical compounds and isotopes.

Superscripts can also be used to indicate the presence of a footnote in a document. Some people even submit ordinal endings for numbers which are written as superscripts; such as, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, etc.; instead of, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th.

1. Something that is written, printed, or engraved above, outside, or on the surface of something else.
2. In pharmacy, the sign (symbol) Rx, meaning "recipe" ("take”), at the beginning of a prescription.

1. To replace in power, authority, effectiveness, acceptance, use, etc., as by another person or thing: Ted's supervisor retired and was superseded by another qualified administrator.
2. To set aside or to cause to be set aside as void, useless, or obsolete, usually in favor of something else: Sam superseded his old car with a new one.
3. To cause to be set aside; especially, to displace someone or something as inferior or too old: The new edition of the scientific publication was set up to supersede its original magazines.

No sooner does a person buy a computer than the company brings out a new one that is superseding it.

4. Etymology: from Latin supersedere, literally, "to sit over or above" or "to sit on top of" something; from super, "above" + sedere, "to sit". © ALL rights are reserved.

Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
so you can see more of Mickey Bach's cartoons.

Pertaining to something outside or beyond the range of normal physical perceptions: It is believed that heavenly concepts are supersensible thoughts that some people have which bring comfort to some without involving the bodily sensations of touch, etc.

1. Pertaining to a person who is very easily upset or offended: Jack's sister is supersensitive about any negative comments about the natural, although overgrown condition, of her garden.
2. Concerning an individual who shows a strong reaction to a drug, allergen, or other agent: Dr. White tested to see whether his patient would be supersensitive to the flu vaccine which he was going to administer.

1. Having, caused by, or relating to a speed greater than the speed of sound in a given medium, especially air; being, or relating to speeds from one to five times the speed of sound in air; speeds greater than five times the speed of sound are usually referred to as hypersonic.
2. Capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at supersonic speed.
3. Of or relating to sound waves beyond human audibility.

Any speed over the speed of sound, that is approximately 343 miles per second, 1,087 feet per second, 761 miles per hour or 1,225 kilometers per hour in the air or at sea level, is said to be "supersonic".

Speeds greater than five times the speed of sound are sometimes referred to as hypersonic.

1. A branch of science that deals with supersonic phenomena.
2. The study of phenomena produced by the motion of a body through a medium at velocities greater than that of sound.
3. The science or study of supersonic motion or phenomena; it is used with a singular verb: "Supersoncis is her favorite subject of all of the sciences in which she has been engaged."

1. A belief in the magical effects of a specific action or ritual, especially in the likelihood that good or bad luck will result from performing it: Virginia's sister lives in a high-rise housing complex that doesn't have the 13th floor due to the superstition that it would bring misfortune!
2. An irrational, credulous, and unfounded belief in dark and unearthly creatures or beings: Greg thought that the ghost stories his sister was reading were based on pure superstition!
3. Etymology: via French from Latin superstition; superstes, "standing over (in awe)"; from super, "over, above" plus stare, "to stand".

Defined by some as, "the unreasoning fear of anything founded on the fear of the unreasoning."

1. Referring to individuals who believe in things which are not true or factual: The fear Jane felt creeping up her back originated from the superstitious opinion of her parents that black cats crossing from the left to the right would bring bad luck!

People are likely to fear what is unknown, such as the man who said he wasn't superstitious because he was afraid it might bring him bad luck!
2. Pertaining to or connected with unfounded beliefs: Ivy loved reading superstitious legends because they took her into a fantasy world full of myths and old wives' tales.