Superstitious use (Law), the use of a gift or bequest, as of land,
etc., for the maintenance of the rites of a religion not tolerated by
the law. [Eng.] Mozley & W.
-- Su`per*sti"tious*ly, adv. -- Su`per*sti"tious*ness, n.
Su`per*strain" (?), v. t. To overstrain. Bacon.
Su`per*stra"tum (?), n.; pl. Superstrata (&?;). [NL.: cf. L.
supersternere, superstratum, to spread upon. See Super-, and Stratum.]
A stratum, or layer, above another.
Su`per*struct" (?), v. t. [L. superstructus, p. p. of superstruere to
build upon; super over + struere to build. See Super-, and Structure.]
To build over or upon another structure; to erect upon a foundation.
This is the only proper basis on which to superstruct first
innocency and then virtue.
Dr. H. More.
Su`per*struc"tion (?), n. 1. The act of superstructing, or building
upon.
2. That which is superstructed, or built upon some foundation; an
edifice; a superstructure.
My own profession hath taught me not to erect new superstructions
upon an old ruin.
Denham.
Su`per*struct"ive (?), a. Built or erected on something else. Hammond.
Su`per*struct"or (?), n. One who builds a superstructure. [R.] R.
North.
Su`per*struc"ture (?), n. [Cf. F. superstructure.] 1. Any material
structure or edifice built on something else; that which is raised on a
foundation or basis; esp. (Arch.), all that part of a building above
the basement. Also used figuratively.
You have added to your natural endowments the superstructure of
study.
Dryden.
2. (Railway Engin.) The sleepers, and fastenings, in distinction from
the roadbed.
Su`per*sub*stan"tial (?), a. [Pref. super- + substantial: cf. F.
supersubstantiel.] More than substantial; spiritual. "The heavenly
supersubstantial bread." Jer. Taylor.
Su`per*sub"tle (?), a. Too subtle. Shak.