Middle English Dictionary Entry
superlā̆tī̆f adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | superlā̆tī̆f adj. Also superlatife, superlative. |
| Etymology | OF superlatif, superlative & L superlātīvus. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Supreme, most excellent; of degree: highest; ~ aboven, superior to (sb.); (b) gram. pertaining to the highest degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb, the superlative; also, as noun: the superlative degree.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Mch.(Manly-Rickert)E.1375 : Ther nys no thyng in gree superlatyf, As seith Senek, aboue an humble wyf.
- (?a1430) Hoccl.MG (Hnt HM 111)8 : Modir of mercy, wey of indulgence, Þat of al vertu art superlatyf.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)5593 : To spekyn aftyr degrees of comparysoun, Mary stood in þe superlatyue degre.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.Gloriosa (Trin-C R.3.20)150 : Þou art þe Cytee..Superlatyf bove oþer of degree.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)548 : Al this worlde..Was maad..For..A man..As he that ys superlatyfe Of thing commytted to his cure, As most souereyn creature.
b
- c1400 Dur-C.Treat.Syntax (Dur-C B.4.19)192/81 : A superlatif gre sal haf genitif case plurele afftir hym or ellys a genitif singuler off a nown collectiue.
- (c1434) Drury Comparacio (CmbAdd 2830)70/25 : How knowe ȝe þe superlatif degre? For it passith his positif and his comparatif wt þis aduerbe 'maxime' and endyth in þis Englych '-est', as 'wytiest', 'blakest: most blakest [read: blak]'.
- c1450 Trin-C.Accedence (Trin-C O.5.4)32/29 : How knoweste the superlatyf degre? A noun adiectyf that bytokenyth qualite or quantite wyth most echyng, as 'fayrest', 'foulest', 'best', 'worste'.
- c1450 Trin-C.Accedence (Trin-C O.5.4)33/68-9 : How maketh they hure superlatyf? In '-limus'. Of what case schall the superlatyf be formed? Of the nominatyf case.
- c1450 Peniarth Comparacio(2) (Pen 356B)66/14 : How many greys of comparison byn þer? iii..Þe posityf, comparatyf, and þe superlatyf.
- a1500 Add.37075 Accedence (Add 37075)48/185 : How..many degreys of comparisons be þer off [aduerb]ys? iii..Þe posytyff, as 'docte', þe comparatyff, as 'doctius', þe superlatyff, as 'doctissime'.
- a1500 Add.37075 Accedence (Add 37075)49/246 : How many concordis of grammer ben þer? v..the vte bytwene the superlatyff degree and þe genityff case þat folwyth.