See Also: superlative(medicine)
superlative(dictionary)
super-superlative(dictionary)
superlative 1, adjective(dictionary)
superlative 2, noun(dictionary)

masterpiece (iou) and superlative (iou)


masterpiece (iou)



masterpiece noun. E17.
[from MASTER noun1 & adjective + PIECE noun, after Dutch meesterstuk, German Meisterstuck.]
A work of outstanding artistry or skill; a masterly production; a consummate example of some skill or Other kind of excellence; (with possess.) a person's best piece of work. E17.
Shakespeare Macbeth Confusion now hath made his masterpiece. F. Quarles Man is heav'n's Master-piece. K. Clark It is..a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. A. Lurie A dealer can't always fill his gallery with masterpieces. fig.: Jonson Here, we must rest; this is our maister-piece; We cannot thinke to goe beyond this.
b. A remarkable or singular person or thing. colloq. E20.
The most important feature, or the chief excellence, of a person or thing. Only in 17.

superlative (iou)



superlative adjective & noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French superlative, -tif, from late Latin superlativus, from Latin superlatus (use as pa. pple of superferre), formed as SUPER- + lat- pa. ppl stem of tollere take away: see -IVE.]
A. adjective.
Grammar. Designating the highest or a very high degree of a quality or attribute; designating a form of an adjective or adverb expressing this (with inflection, as English -EST1; with modifier, as English most; with a word from a different root, as English best etc.). Cf. comparative, positive. LME.
b. Exaggerative, hyperbolical. L16.
Of the highest quality or degree; supereminent, supreme. LME.
superlative surprise Campanology an especially complicated method of change-ringing.
N. Shute A great designer, and a superlative engineer.
b. noun.
Grammar. The superlative degree; a superlative form etc. of an adjective or adverb. M16.
b. transf. An exaggerated or hyperbolical expression; exaggerated language or phraseology. Usu. in pl. L16.
Motorway Express It is a splendid car worthy of superlatives.
The highest or utmost degree of something; the height, the acme. L16.
A person or thing surpassing all others of a kind; a supreme example of something. E17.
superlatively adverb L16.
superlativeness noun E18.