superior

I. 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 ; upper 2. of higher rank, quality, or importance 3. 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 superscript 6. a. of an animal structure situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part <

a superior artery

> b. of 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 • superiorly adverb II. noun Date: 15th century 1. one who is above another in rank, station, or office; especially the head of a religious house or order 2. one that surpasses another in quality or merit 3. superscript