SUPERSTITION


Meaning of SUPERSTITION in English

ˌsüpə(r)ˈstishən noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English supersticion, from Middle French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness, victor, or survivor) (from super- + -stit- — akin to stare to stand) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at stand

1.

a. : a belief, conception, act, or practice resulting from ignorance, unreasoning fear of the unknown or mysterious, morbid scrupulosity, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation

the superstition that a black cat crossing one's path portends bad luck

superstitions such as child-sacrifice, divination, soothsaying, enchantments, sorceries, charms (by magic knots, spells, or incantations), ghosts, spiritualistic mediums, necromancy — D.R.Scott

b. : an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from such beliefs, conceptions, or fears

2.

a. : idolatrous religion

b. : idolatry

an alien religion whose superstitions and ritual were regarded with abhorrence — J.H.Plumb

3. : a fixed irrational idea : a notion maintained in spite of evidence to the contrary

the superstition that society can only be built on a foundation of unconditional command and absolute obedience — Karl Renner

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.