Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Superlative \Su`per*la"tive\, a. [L. superlativus, fr.
superlatus excessive, used as p. p. of superiorferre, but
from a different root: cf. F. superlatif. See Elate,
Tolerate.]
1. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing
all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a
woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the
divine character.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gram.) Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the
quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an
adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive
by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most
pleasant, least bright.
[1913 Webster] -- Su`per*la"tive*ly, adv. --
Su`per*la"tive*ness, n.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Superlative \Su`per*la"tive\, n.
1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gram.)
(a) The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs;
also, a form or word by which the superlative degree
is expressed; as, strongest, wisest, most stormy,
least windy, are all superlatives.
[1913 Webster]
Absolute superlative, a superlative in an absolute rather
than in a comparative or exclusive sense. See Elative.
[1913 Webster]
superlative
adj : highest in quality [syn: greatest, sterling(a)]
n 1: an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics
lavished superlatives on it"
2: the highest level or degree attainable; "his landscapes were
deemed the acme of beauty"; "the artist's gifts are at
their acme"; "at the height of her career"; "the peak of
perfection"; "summer was at its peak"; "...catapulted
Einstein to the pinnacle of fame"; "the summit of his
ambition"; "so many highest superlatives achieved by man";
"at the top of his profession" [syn: acme, height, elevation,
peak, pinnacle, summit, top]
3: the superlative form of an adjective; "`best' is the
superlative form of `good'"
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