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Webster 1913 Edition


Superfluous

Su-per′flu-ous

,
Adj.
[L.
superfluus
overflowing;
super
over, above +
fluere
to flow. See
Super-
, and
Fluent
.]
More than is wanted or is sufficient; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; unnecessary; useless; excessive;
as, a
superfluous
price
.
Shak.
An authority which makes all further argument or illustration
superfluous
.
E. Everett.
Superfluous interval
(Mus.)
,
an interval that exceeds a major or perfect interval by a semitone.
Syn. – Unnecessary; useless; exuberant; excessive; redundant; needless.
Su-per′flu-ous-ly
,
adv.
Su-per′flu-ous-ness
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition


Superfluous

SUPER'FLUOUS

,
Adj.
[L. superfluus, overflowing; super and fluo, to flow.]
1.
More than is wanted; rendered unnecessary by superabundance; as a superfluous supply of corn.
2.
More than sufficient; unnecessary; useless; as a composition abounding with superfluous words. Superfluous epithets rather enfeeble than strengthen description. If what has been said will not convince, it would be superfluous to say more.
Superfluous interval, in music, is one that exceeds a true diatonic interval by a semitone minor.
Superfluous polygamy, (Polygamia superflua,) a kind of inflorescence or compound flower, in which the florets of the disk are hermaphrodite and fertile, and those of the ray, though female or pistiliferous only, are also fertile; designating the second order of the class Syngenesia of Linne.
Superfluous sound or tone, is one which contains a semitone minor more than a tone.

Definition 2024


superfluous

superfluous

English

Adjective

superfluous (comparative more superfluous, superlative most superfluous)

  1. In excess of what is required or sufficient.
    With a full rain suit, carrying an umbrella may be superfluous.

Synonyms

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