superstitious
[soo-per-stish-uh s]
- of the nature of, characterized by, or proceeding from superstition: superstitious fears.
- pertaining to or connected with superstition: superstitious legends.
- believing in, full of, or influenced by superstition.
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Origin of superstitious
1350–1400; Middle English supersticious < Latin superstitiōsus, equivalent to superstiti(ō) superstition + -ōsus -ous
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for superstitious
Contemporary Examples
When we can barely illuminate our own world, it would be superstitious to imagine that dead men could do it for us.
For artists, that moral sensibility, superstitious or no, ought to be cranked to 11.
Their marriage had begun to suffer, and memories of the polio ballet loomed over the choreographer, known to be superstitious.
Historically, superstitious investors have feared the 10th month of the year.
They are superstitious, violent, passionate, mercurial, and secretive, with a greater belief in dragons than in any saint.
Historical Examples
If I were superstitious or easily disheartened, I should say—but I am neither!
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
I trust I am not superstitious, but the vision had remained with me in all its tormenting detail.
Ruggles of Red GapHarry Leon Wilson
Seamen, you know, are superstitious on the subject of corpses.
Homeward BoundJames Fenimore Cooper
His usually courageous eyes were full of superstitious fear.
A Spirit in PrisonRobert Hichens
Her half-crazy, superstitious notion could only have been combatted by its non-realisation.
Cleo The MagnificentLouis Zangwill
superstitious
- disposed to believe in superstition
- of or relating to superstition
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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
Word Origin and History for superstitious
adj.
late 14c., from Old French superstitieux, from Latin superstitiosus, from superstitionem (nominative superstitio) "prophecy, soothsaying, excessive fear of the gods," perhaps originally "state of religious exaltation," related to superstes (genitive superstitis) "standing over or above," also "standing by, surviving," from superstare "stand on or over, survive," from super "above" (see super-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). There are many theories for the Latin sense development, but none has yet triumphed.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper