Middle English Dictionary Entry
superiō̆r adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | superiō̆r adj. Also superiour(e. |
| Etymology | L superior, superiōr- (comp. of superus) & OF superïor, -ïour; for noun uses also cp. ML superior, -iōris n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Characteristic of or emanating from a higher authority; (b) as noun: one who is higher in rank or more powerful than another; (c) of land: more northern; as noun: the part higher in elevation; the more northern part; inde the ~, northern India.
Associated quotations
a
- a1500(?c1425) Spec.Sacer.(Add 36791)60/23 : There is thre-fold auctorite of fastynge..the þridde is of the informacion and mageste of the superioure commaundynge [L præceptorum]..of the commaundour is auctorite, for it is commendid of God hym-self also, And for tyme it is auctorite, for to the firste fadres it was commaundid.
b
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)3.443 : Appellacion awe to be hade from the inferior to þe superior [Trev.: more; L majorem].
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)6.11 : The iiiithe is the fire of iniquite, when the superior [Trev.: gretter] dredethe not to oppresse his inferior.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2447 : In Ynde the superiour..he [Alexander] was ful conquerour.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.127 : Cedar is a region in the superior [L superiori] parte of Palestine.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.135 : Scythia is duplicate, the superior [Trev.: ouere] in Asia, the inferior in Europa.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.255 : There be ij Germanyes: the superior whiche extendethe vn to Alpes to the bosom of the grete see that is callede the see Adriatike, And the inferior Germany, towarde the weste.