| Superlative | 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 ] |
| Superlative | 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 ]
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