— superficiality /sooh'peuhr fish'ee al"i tee/ , superficialness , n. — superficially , adv.
/sooh'peuhr fish"euhl/ , adj.
1. being at, on, or near the surface: a superficial wound.
2. of or pertaining to the surface: superficial measurement.
3. external or outward: a superficial resemblance.
4. concerned with or comprehending only what is on the surface or obvious: a superficial observer.
5. shallow; not profound or thorough: a superficial writer.
6. apparent rather than real.
7. insubstantial or insignificant: superficial improvements.
[ 1375-1425; late ME superfyciall superficialis, equiv. to L superfici ( es ) SUPERFICIES + -alis -AL 1 ]