superstitious

superstitious
superstitious late 14c., from O.Fr. superstitieux, from L. superstitiosus, from superstitionem (nom. superstitio) "prophecy, soothsaying, excessive fear of the gods," perhaps originally "state of religious exaltation," related to superstes (gen. superstitis) "standing over or above," also "standing by, surviving," from superstare "stand on or over, survive," from super "above" (see SUPER- (Cf. super-)) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see STET (Cf. stet)). There are many theories for the Latin sense development, but none has yet triumphed.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Superstitious — Su per*sti tious, a. [F. superstitieux, L. superstitiosus.] 1. Of or pertaining to superstition; proceeding from, or manifesting, superstition; as, superstitious rites; superstitious observances. [1913 Webster] 2. Evincing superstition;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • superstitious — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ characterized or influenced by superstition. DERIVATIVES superstitiously adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • superstitious — [so͞o΄pər stish′əs] adj. 1. of, characterized by, or resulting from superstition 2. having superstitions superstitiously adv. superstitiousness n …   English World dictionary

  • superstitious — [[t]su͟ːpə(r)stɪ̱ʃəs[/t]] 1) ADJ GRADED: usu v link ADJ People who are superstitious believe in things that are not real or possible, for example magic. Jean was extremely superstitious and believed the colour green brought bad luck. 2) ADJ… …   English dictionary

  • superstitious — superstitiously, adv. superstitiousness, n. /sooh peuhr stish euhs/, adj. 1. of the nature of, characterized by, or proceeding from superstition: superstitious fears. 2. pertaining to or connected with superstition: superstitious legends. 3.… …   Universalium

  • superstitious — adj. superstitious about * * * superstitious about …   Combinatory dictionary

  • superstitious — The Greek word in Acts 17:22 can have a good or bad sense. AV ‘too superstitious’ and RV ‘somewhat superstitious’ imply the latter, but modern translations prefer ‘extremely religious’ or ‘extremely scrupulous’ …   Dictionary of the Bible

  • superstitious — su|per|sti|tious [ ,supər stıʃəs ] adjective believing in the power of magic or luck: She s a very superstitious person. a. based on that belief: superstitious fear ╾ su|per|sti|tious|ly adverb …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • superstitious — UK [ˌsuːpə(r)ˈstɪʃəs] / US [ˌsupərˈstɪʃəs] adjective a) believing in the power of magic or luck She s a very superstitious person. b) based on that belief superstitious fear Derived word: superstitiously adverb …   English dictionary

  • superstitious — su•per•sti•tious [[t]ˌsu pərˈstɪʃ əs[/t]] adj. 1) characterized by or proceeding from superstition: superstitious fears[/ex] 2) of or connected with superstition: superstitious tales[/ex] 3) believing in or full of superstition • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

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