superlative
superlative
[suh-pur-luh-tiv,
soo-]
adjective
1. of the highest kind, quality, or order; surpassing all
else or others; supreme; extreme: superlative wisdom.
2. Grammar. of, pertaining
to, or noting the highest degree of the comparison of adjectives and adverbs,
as smallest, best, and most carefully, the superlative forms of small, good, and
carefully. Compare comparative ( def 4 ), positive ( def 20 ).
3. being more
than is proper or normal; exaggerated in language or style.
noun
4. a superlative
person or thing.
5. the utmost degree; acme.
6. Grammar.
a. the superlative
degree.
b. a form in the superlative.
Origin:
1350-1400;
Middle English < Late Latin superl?t?vus, equivalent to Latin superl?t(us)
hyperbolical (super- super- + -l?tus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear1)
+ -?vus -ive; replacing Middle English superlatif < Old French < Late Latin,
as above