superstition
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ)ˈstɪ.ʃən//
- United Kingdom//ˌs(j)u.pə(ɹ)ˈstɪ.ʃn̩//
- United States//ˌs(j)u.pɚˈstɪ.ʃən//
- United States//ˌs(j)u.pɚˈstɪ.ʃn̩//
A belief considered to be irrational, unfounded, or based solely on fear and ignorance, particularly credulous reverence towards and belief in supernatural forces.
noun
- 1
A belief considered to be irrational, unfounded, or based solely on fear and ignorance, particularly credulous reverence towards and belief in supernatural forces.
What children we are in trifles! what slight things exercise an influence over us! to how much that our reason would be ashamed to acknowledge! nevertheless does it submit. Our whole nature must change; we must be less susceptible, less dependent on "blind accident," before we can shake off hopes and fears, which are almost superstitions.
The world is not merely the sum of all its atoms... There are no atoms in themselves. Atoms regarded as things in themselves are a scientific superstition.
- 2
archaicExcessive nicety; overscrupulousness.
Etymology
From Middle French superstition, from Latin superstitio (“superstition”), from superstāre (“to stand above, to stand upon, to survive”) + -tiō (“-tion: forming nouns”), from super- (“above, over, upon”) + stāre (“to stand”).
Forms
- plural
- superstitions
superstition · A belief considered to be irrational, unfounded, or based solely on fear and ignorance, particularly credulous reverence towards and belief in…
superstitious · Susceptible to superstitions.supervise · To oversee or direct (a task or organization).supervised · Done under supervision; watched.