superior

su|pe|ri|or1 [ su`pıriər ] adjective **

1. ) better than someone or something else in quality or skill:

Toward the end of the game Agassi's superior strength began to show.

Though technically superior, their system was never commercially successful.

superior to: The sound quality is superior to that on a regular CD.

vastly/greater/infinitely superior: The new version is vastly superior to the old one.

superior knowledge/skill/intelligence: We respected Bill's superior knowledge of the area.

a ) greater in size or power:

Despite its superior numbers, the French fleet was defeated by Nelson's navy.

superior force/power: They fought with great courage against a superior force of invaders.

─ opposite INFERIOR

2. ) used especially in advertising for referring to products or services of high quality:

a company that supplies superior wines to the restaurant trade

3. ) someone who is superior behaves in a proud way, as if they think they are better or more important than other people:

I can't stand that superior smile of his.

4. ) having a higher status or position than someone or something else:

You are accountable to your superior officer.

judges of the superior courts

a ) only before noun MEDICAL higher in position:

the superior rectal vein

superior

su|pe|ri|or 2 [ su`pıriər ] noun count *

1. ) someone who is senior to you in an organization or job. Your immediate superior holds the position directly above yours.

2. ) FORMAL someone who is more skillful than you at an activity:

be someone's superior: Among novelists perhaps only Tolstoy is his superior.