sju:ˈpə:lətɪv adj. & n. --adj. 1 of
the highest
quality or
degree (superlative wisdom). 2 Gram. (of an
adjective or adverb) expressing the highest or a
very high degree of a quality (e.g. bravest,
most fiercely) (cf.
POSITIVE, COMPARATIVE). --n. 1 Gram. a the superlative
expression or
form of an adjective or
adverb. b a
word in the superlative. 2
something embodying
excellence; the highest form of a
thing. øøsuperlatively adv. superlativeness n. [ME f. OF superlatif
-ive f. LL superlativus f. L superlatus (as
SUPER-, latus
past part. of ferre take)]