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. superlatively adv. superlativeness n.
[ ME f. OF superlatif -ive f. LL superlativus f. L superlatus (as SUPER-, latus past part. of ferre take) ]