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Synonyms

superincumbent

American  
[soo-per-in-kuhm-buhnt] / ˌsu pər ɪnˈkʌm bənt /

adjective

  1. lying or resting on something else.

  2. situated above; overhanging.

  3. exerted from above, as pressure.


superincumbent British  
/ ˌsuːpərɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

  1. lying or being on top of something else

  2. situated or suspended above; overhanging

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • superincumbence noun
  • superincumbency noun
  • superincumbently adverb

Etymology

Origin of superincumbent

1655–65; < Latin superincumbent- (stem of superincumbēns ), present participle of superincumbere to lean over; super-, incumbent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Occasionally, when the whale blows just as it is rising out of or sinking in the sea, a little of the superincumbent water may be forced upwards by the column of breath.

From Sea Monsters Unmasked and Sea Fables Explained by Lee, H. W. (Henry William)

A greater superincumbent mass, required shorter and thicker columns; a less superincumbent mass, longer and slender ones.

From Beauty Illustrated Chiefly by an Analysis and Classificatin of Beauty in Woman by Walker, Alexander

When a sufficient depth of snow collects upon the earth's surface, the lower portions are squeezed out by the pressure of the superincumbent mass.

From The Glaciers of the Alps Being a narrative of excursions and ascents, etc. by Tyndall, John

This was effected by cutting away the superincumbent stones at an angle of about 45� with the horizon.

From Incidents of Travel in Yucatan, Vol. I. by Stephens, John L.

With kites, however, the possibility of making frequent and nearly vertical ascents and descents permits observations to be obtained almost simultaneously in superincumbent strata of air.

From Sounding the Ocean of Air by Rotch, A. Lawrence