Search Result for "superlative": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (3)

1. an exaggerated expression (usually of praise);
- Example: "the critics lavished superlatives on it"

2. the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development;
- Example: "his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty"
- Example: "the artist's gifts are at their acme"
- Example: "at the height of her career"
- Example: "the peak of perfection"
- Example: "summer was at its peak"
- Example: "...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame"
- Example: "the summit of his ambition"
- Example: "so many highest superlatives achieved by man"
- Example: "at the top of his profession"
[syn: acme, height, elevation, peak, pinnacle, summit, superlative, meridian, tiptop, top]

3. the superlative form of an adjective or adverb;
- Example: "`fastest' is the superlative of the adjective `fast'";
- Example: "`least famous' is the superlative degree of the adjective `famous'";
- Example: "`most surely' is the superlative of the adverb `surely'";
[syn: superlative, superlative degree]


ADJECTIVE (1)

1. highest in quality;
[syn: greatest, sterling(a), superlative]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Superlative \Su`per*la"tive\, n.
   1. That which is highest or most eminent; the utmost degree.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Gram.)
      (a) The superlative degree of adjectives and adverbs;
          also, a form or word by which the superlative degree
          is expressed; as, strongest, wisest, most stormy,
          least windy, are all superlatives.
          [1913 Webster]

   Absolute superlative, a superlative in an absolute rather
      than in a comparative or exclusive sense. See Elative.
      [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Superlative \Su`per*la"tive\, a. [L. superlativus, fr.
   superlatus excessive, used as p. p. of superiorferre, but
   from a different root: cf. F. superlatif. See Elate,
   Tolerate.]
   1. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing
      all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a
      woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the
      divine character.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Gram.) Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the
      quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an
      adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive
      by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most
      pleasant, least bright.
      [1913 Webster] -- Su`per*la"tive*ly, adv. --
      Su`per*la"tive*ness, n.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

superlative
    adj 1: highest in quality [syn: greatest, sterling(a),
           superlative]
    n 1: an exaggerated expression (usually of praise); "the critics
         lavished superlatives on it"
    2: the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of
       development; "his landscapes were deemed the acme of beauty";
       "the artist's gifts are at their acme"; "at the height of her
       career"; "the peak of perfection"; "summer was at its peak";
       "...catapulted Einstein to the pinnacle of fame"; "the summit
       of his ambition"; "so many highest superlatives achieved by
       man"; "at the top of his profession" [syn: acme, height,
       elevation, peak, pinnacle, summit, superlative,
       meridian, tiptop, top]
    3: the superlative form of an adjective or adverb; "`fastest' is
       the superlative of the adjective `fast'"; "`least famous' is
       the superlative degree of the adjective `famous'"; "`most
       surely' is the superlative of the adverb `surely'" [syn:
       superlative, superlative degree]