Superlative Degree Adjective Adverb Noun Latin Participle Comparison

su·per·la·tive

I

\\su̇-ˈpər-lə-tiv\\ adjective1. of, relating to, or constituting the degree of grammatical comparison that denotes an extreme or unsurpassed level or extent
2.
  a. surpassing all others :

supreme

  b. of very high quality :

excellent

      superlative work
3.

excessive

, exaggerated
• su·per·la·tive·ly adverb
• su·per·la·tive·ness noun

II

noun1.
  a. the superlative degree of comparison in a language
  b. a superlative form of an adjective or adverb
2. the superlative or utmost degree of something :

acme

3. a superlative person or thing
4. an admiring sometimes exaggerated expression especially of praise

superlative
  superlative (adj.) late 14c., from O.Fr. superlatif (13c.), from L.L. superlativus "exaggerated, superlative," from L. superlatus "exaggerated" (used as pp. of superferre "carry over or beyond"), from super "beyond" (see super-) + lat- "carry," from *tlat-, pp. stem of tollere "to take away" (see extol). The noun is attested from 1530, originally in the grammatical sense.

superlative
su·per·la·tive / su5pE:lEtiv; sju:-; NAmE su:5pE:rl- / adjective1. excellent
   极佳的；卓越的；最优秀的
   SYN 

first-rate

:
   a superlative performance
   精彩绝伦的演出
2. (grammar 语法) relating to adjectives or adverbs that express the highest degree of sth, for example best, worst, slowest and most difficult
   (形容词或副词)最高级的
⇨ compare

comparative

adj. (3)
• su·per·la·tive·ly adv. noun   (grammar 语法) the form of an adjective or adverb that expresses the highest degree of sth
   (形容词或副词的)最高级:
   It's hard to find enough superlatives to describe this book.
   用再多的盛赞之辞也难以描述这本书。
⇨ compare

comparative

n.

su·per·la·tive
I. \səˈpərləd.]iv, süˈp-, -pə̄l-, -pəil-, -lət]\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English superlatif, from Middle French, from Late Latin superlativus, from Latin superlatus — suppletive past participle of superferre to carry over, raise high — (from super- + latus, suppletive past participle of ferre to bear, carry) + -ivus -ive — more at ,
1. : belonging to or constituting the degree of comparison that is usually expressed in English by placing most before an adjective (as most beneficial) or adverb (as most fully) or by suffixing -est to it (as oldest, soonest) and that typically denotes an unsurpassed or extreme level of the quality, quantity, or relation expressed by the adjective or adverb
 < the superlative degree >
 < the irregular superlative forms farthest and worst >
— compare 3, 1, 2a
2. : most eminent of its kind : superior to the highest degree : having no peers : surpassing all others :
 < the protection and preservation of superlative scenery — Chronica Botanica >
 < men of superlative talent and character — C.S.Forester >
3. : exaggerated,
• su·per·la·tive·ly \]ə̇vlē, -li\ adverb
• su·per·la·tive·ness \]ivnə̇s\ noun -es
II. noun
(-s)
1.
 a. : the superlative degree of comparison in a language
 b. : a superlative form of an adjective or adverb
2. : the superlative or utmost degree of something : ,
 < so many highest superlatives achieved by man — Thomas Carlyle >
3. : a superlative person or thing : something that is superlative or of the utmost degree in its kind
4. : an exaggerated expression especially of praise

 < he spoke in superlatives — C.B.Kelland >