In 1511, leaders in Mecca believed coffee stimulated radical thinking and outlawed the drink. In 1524, the leaders overturned that order, and people could drink coffee again.
SUPERLATIVE
greatest, sterling, superlative
(adjective) highest in quality
superlative, superlative degree
(noun) the superlative form of an adjective or adverb; “‘fastest’ is the superlative of the adjective ‘fast’”; “‘least famous’ is the superlative degree of the adjective ‘famous’”; “‘most surely’ is the superlative of the adverb ‘surely’”
superlative
(noun) an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); “the critics lavished superlatives on it”
acme, height, elevation, peak, pinnacle, summit, superlative, meridian, tiptop, top
(noun) the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development; “his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty”; “the artist’s gifts are at their acme”; “at the height of her career”; “the peak of perfection”; “summer was at its peak”; “...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame”; “the summit of his ambition”; “so many highest superlatives achieved by man”; “at the top of his profession”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
superlative (plural superlatives)
The highest extent or degree of something.
Synonyms: acme, apex, height, zenith
(grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of several items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.
(informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.
Synonyms
• (highest degree): acme, peak
Hyponyms
• absolute superlative
• relative superlative
Adjective
superlative (not comparable)
Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
(grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.
Usage notes
Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.
Synonyms
• (exceptionally good): above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb
Source: Wiktionary
Su`per*la"tive, a. Etym: [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.
2. (Gram.)
Definition: 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.
– Su`per*la"tive*ly, adv.
– Su`per*la"tive*ness, n.
Su`per*la"tive, n.
1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.
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. Absolute superlative, a superlative in an absolute rather than in a comparative or exclusive sense. See Elative.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
25 September 2024
TRAINED
(adjective) shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form; “a trained mind”; “trained pigeons”; “well-trained servants”
Coffee Trivia
