Su`per*in*vest"i*ture (?), n. An outer vestment or garment. [R.] Bp.
Horne.
Su*pe"ri*or (?), a. [L., compar. of superus being above, fr. super
above, over: cf. F. supérieur. See Super-, and cf. Supreme.] 1. More
elevated in place or position; higher; upper; as, the superior limb of
the sun; the superior part of an image.
2. Higher in rank or office; more exalted in dignity; as, a superior
officer; a superior degree of nobility.
3. Higher or greater in excellence; surpassing others in the greatness,
or value of any quality; greater in quality or degree; as, a man of
superior merit; or of superior bravery.
4. Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or
affected by; -- with to.
There is not in earth a spectacle more worthy than a great man
superior to his sufferings.
Spectator.
5. More comprehensive; as a term in classification; as, a genus is
superior to a species.
6. (Bot.) (a) Above the ovary; -- said of parts of the flower which,
although normally below the ovary, adhere to it, and so appear to
originate from its upper part; also of an ovary when the other floral
organs are plainly below it in position, and free from it. (b)
Belonging to the part of an axillary flower which is toward the main
stem; posterior. (c) Pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending;
-- said of the radicle.
Superior conjunction, Superior planets, etc. See Conjunction, Planet,
etc. -- Superior figure, Superior letter (Print.), a figure or letter
printed above the line, as a reference to a note or an index of a
power, etc; as, in x2 + yn, 2 is a superior figure, n a superior
letter. Cf. Inferior figure, under Inferior.
Su*pe"ri*or, n. 1. One who is above, or surpasses, another in rank,
station, office, age, ability, or merit; one who surpasses in what is
desirable; as, Addison has no superior as a writer of pure English.