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superstitions - 2 dictionary results

su⋅per⋅sti⋅tion

  [soo-per-stish-uhn]
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–noun
1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
2. a system or collection of such beliefs.
3. a custom or act based on such a belief.
4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, esp. in connection with religion.
5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L superstitiōn- (s. of superstitiō), equiv. to superstit- (s. of superstes) standing beyond, outliving (super- super- + -stit-, comb. form of stat-, adj. deriv. of stāre to stand ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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su·per·sti·tion   (sōō'pər-stĭsh'ən)   
n.  
  1. An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
    1. A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.
    2. A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
    3. Idolatry.

[Middle English supersticion, from Old French superstition, from Latin superstitiō, superstitiōn-, from superstes, superstit-, standing over; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
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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