səˌpirēˈȯrəd.ē, -pēr-, -ˈär-, -ətē, -i sometimes (ˌ)süˌp- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle French superiorité, from Medieval Latin superioritat-, superioritas, from Latin superior + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at superior
1. obsolete : the position, office, rank, dignity, authority, or jurisdiction of a superior
2.
a. : the quality or state of being superior: as
(1) : the possession or application of greater or especially prevailing force
gained the superiority over the enemy army
(2) : the possession of superior rank, authority, or dignity
men free and independent … amongst whom there was no natural superiority or subjection — John Locke
(3) : the quality or state of surpassing in degree or amount
immigration played an important part, in maintaining a numerical superiority of men over women — President's Commission on Immigration & Naturalization
(4) : the quality or state of surpassing in virtue, merit, excellence, or worth
the superiority of their equipment to the enemy's — Current Biography
(5) : the quality or state of exhibiting disdain or conceit : haughtiness , superciliousness
had none of the condescension of the foreigner, no white man's superiority — Walter Lippmann
b. : a superior characteristic or detail
the man of creative imagination pays a ghastly price for all his superiorities and immunities — H.L.Mencken
3. : dominium directum