super-, supra-, sur-

(Latin: above, over; more than, excessive)

Sur- is a variation of super- developed through the French and shouldn't be confused with another assimilated sur- form that comes from sub- and means: "under, below, beneath".

In some words, super- is amplified to mean: "on top of; higher in rank or position than; superior to; greater in quality, amount, or degree than others of its kind".

superadd
1. To add something onto what has already been added.
2. To add over and above; to add to what has been added.
superaddition
The act of adding something in excess, extraneous, or above and beyond the normal.
superalimentation
The act of overfeeding, or making one take food in excess of the natural appetite for it.
superalloy
An alloy, often with a nickel, nickel-iron, or cobalt base, capable of withstanding very high temperatures, used in jet engines, rockets, etc.
superannuate (soo" pur AN yoo ayt")
1. To allow someone to retire from a service or an office on a pension because of age or infirmity.
2. To set aside as out of date or to discard as old-fashioned or obsolete; to remove as too old.
3. To be or to become old, out of date, or unfit for further service.
superannuated (adjective), more superannuated, most superannuated
1. A reference to being too old for use, work, service, or a position: During the annual new year's parade, some people wondered why, in the age of modern weapons, a soldier was carrying a superannuated sword; then they realized that, although it was obsolete as a weapon, the sword still has a significant part in military ceremonies.
2. Relating to a person or something that is antiquated or outdated: Elizabeth thought her supervisor had too many superannuated ideas and so she was convinced that the project would not be a success.
3. Descriptive of a situation that is outmoded, obsolete, no longer useful, valid, or fashionable: The president of the country tried to get his legislature to change the superannuated laws which were still in force because they were simply old fashioned and not practical anymore.
Relating to being retired because of old age.
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superannuation
1. The act of superannuating, or too old for office or business; the state of being disqualified by old age; decrepitude.
2. The state of being superannuated.
3. A pension or allowance to a superannuated person.
superannuity
A retirement, and usually with a pension, because of old age or infirmity.
superaudible (adjective) (not comparable)
Above and beyond the normal perception of hearing: A superaudible frequency is one that is higher than the threshold of a person's ability to hear.
superb (soo PURB)
1. Admirably fine or excellent; extremely good: "She had a superb performance."
2. Sumptuous; rich; grand: "She wore superb jewels."
3. A reference to a proudly imposing appearance or kind; majestic: superb mountain vistas.
4. Of unusually high quality; excellent; such as, a superb wine, or a superb skill.
5. Majestic; imposing: "The cheetah is a superb animal."
6. Rich; luxurious; of the highest quality.
superbia
1. An unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem; excessive pride (personified as one of the deadly sins).
2. An unjustified assumption of superiority; arrogance.
superbiloquent, superbiloquence
Speaking in a proud, haughty manner.
superbiochore
Dispersal by several groups of biotopes or several fauna and flora habitats collectively.
superbly
Marked to the highest degree by grandeur, excellence, brilliance, magnificence, or competence, (used as an intensifier): "Her voice is superbly disciplined".
superbug
1. A strain of bacteria that is resistant to all antibiotics.
2. Any of various disease-causing bacteria that develop a resistance to drugs normally used to control or eradicate them.

If a bacterium carries several resistance genes, it is called multiresistant or, informally, a "superbug".

Related "above, over, beyond the normal, excessive" word units: epi-; hyper-; ultra-, ult-.

Inter-related cross references, directly or indirectly, involving word units meaning "more, plentiful, fullness, excessive, over flowing": copi-; exuber-; hyper-; multi-; opulen-; ple-; pleio-; plethor-; poly-; total-; ultra-; undu-.