superstition
pronunciation
How to pronounce superstition in British English:
UK [ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃn]
How to pronounce superstition in American English:
US [ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
Word Origin
- superstition
- superstition: [15] Etymologically, superstition denotes ‘standing over’ something. It comes via Old French superstition from Latin superstitiō, a derivative of superstāre ‘stand over’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix super- ‘above’ and stāre ‘stand’ (a relative of English stand). The sense ‘irrational fear’, which evolved in Latin, may have been based on the notion of someone ‘standing over’ something in awe or fear.=> stand, station, statue
- superstition (n.)
- early 13c., "false religious belief; irrational faith in supernatural powers," from Latin superstitionem (nominative superstitio) "prophecy, soothsaying; dread of the supernatural, excessive fear of the gods, religious belief based on fear or ignorance and considered incompatible with truth or reason," literally "a standing over," noun of action from past participle stem of superstare "stand on or over; survive," from super "above" (see super-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). There are many theories to explain the Latin sense development, but none has yet been generally accepted. Originally in English especially of religion; sense of "unreasonable notion" is from 1794.
Example
- 1. First , central bank independence is an unhelpful superstition .
- 2. Jonathan was not above superstition .
- 3. Can we cure ourselves of superstition ?
- 4. Superstition will drag him down .
- 5. There are several possible origins for this superstition .