Su"per , n. A contraction of Supernumerary, in sense 2. [Theatrical Cant]
Su"per- (?). [L. super over, above; akin to Gr. &?;, L. sub under, and E. over. See Over, and cf. Hyper-, Sub-, Supra-, Sur-.]
1. A prefix
signifying above, over, beyond, and hence often denoting in a superior position, in excess, over and above, in addition, exceedingly; as in superimpose, supersede, supernatural, superabundance.
2.
(Chem.) A prefix formerly much used to denote that the ingredient to the name of which it was
prefixed was present in a large, or unusually large, proportion as compared with the other ingredients; as in calcium
superphosphate. It has been
superseded by per-, bi- , di-, acid, etc. (as peroxide, bicarbonate, disulphide, and acid sulphate), which retain the old meanings of super-, but with sharper definition. Cf. Acid,
a., Bi-,
Di- , and Per-.
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