superstition

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

A belief considered to be irrational, unfounded, or based solely on fear and ignorance, particularly credulous reverence towards and belief in supernatural forces.
Excessive nicety; overscrupulousness.

Pronunciation

/ˌs(j)uː.pə(ɹ)ˈstɪ.ʃən/ /ˌs(j)u.pə(ɹ)ˈstɪ.ʃn̩/ /ˌs(j)u.pɚˈstɪ.ʃən/ /ˌs(j)u.pɚˈstɪ.ʃn̩/ en-us-superstition.ogg en-uk-superstition.ogg

Word forms

superstition superstitions

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”).

Related words

superstitious

Derived words

sub-superstition superstitionist superstitionless Superstition Mountains

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