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superficial

 - 5 dictionary results

su⋅per⋅fi⋅cial

  [soo-per-fish-uhl]
Use superficial in a Sentence
–adjective
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.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME superfyciall < LL superficiālis, equiv. to L superfici(ēs) superficies + -ālis -al 1

Related forms:
su⋅per⋅fi⋅ci⋅al⋅i⋅ty  [soo-per-fish-ee-al-i-tee] , su⋅per⋅fi⋅cial⋅ness, noun
su⋅per⋅fi⋅cial⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To superficial
su·per·fi·cial   (sōō'pər-fĭsh'əl)   
adj.  

  1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface: a superficial wound.

  2. Concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; shallow.

  3. Apparent rather than actual or substantial: a superficial resemblance.

  4. Trivial; insignificant: made only a few superficial changes in the manuscript.


[Middle English, from Old French superficiel, from Latin superficiālis, from superficiēs, surface; see superficies.]
su'per·fi'ci·al'i·ty (-fĭsh'ē-āl'ĭ-tē), su'per·fi'cial·ness (-fĭsh'əl-nĭs) n., su'per·fi'cial·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

superficial 
c.1420, "of or relating to a surface," from L. superficialis "of or pertaining to the surface," from superficies "surface," from super "above, over" (see super-) + facies "form, face" (see face (n.)). Meaning "not deep or thorough" (of perceptions, thoughts, etc.) first recorded c.1530.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: su·per·fi·cial
Pronunciation: "sü-p&r-'fish-&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or located nearthe surface <superficial blood vessels>
2 : penetrating below or affecting only the surface <superficial wounds> —su·per·fi·cial·ly /-E/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

superficial su·per·fi·cial (s&oomacr;'pər-fĭsh'əl)
adj.

  1. Of, affecting, or being on or near the surface.

  2. Not thorough.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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