Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - superior

 geographical name city & port NW Wisconsin on Lake ~ population 27,368 SUPERIOR  I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin, comparative of superus upper, from super over, above — more at over  Date: 14th century  1. situated higher up ; upper  2. of higher rank, quality, or importance  3. courageously or serenely indifferent (as to something painful or disheartening)  4.  a. greater in quantity or numbers escaped by ~ speed  b. excellent of its kind ; better her ~ memory  5. being a superscript  6.  a. of an animal structure situated above or anterior or dorsal to another and especially a corresponding part a ~ artery  b. of a plant structure situated above or near the top of another part: as  (1) of a calyx attached to and apparently arising from the ovary  (2) of an ovary free from the calyx or other floral envelope  7. more comprehensive a genus is ~ to a species  8. affecting or assuming an air of ~ity ; supercilious  • ~ly adverb  II. noun  Date: 15th century  1. one who is above another in rank, station, or office; especially the head of a religious house or order  2. one that surpasses another in quality or merit  3. superscript