superimposed

American  

[soo-per-im-pohzd] / ˌsu pər ɪmˈpoʊzd /

adjective

1. being or relating to something that is placed over something else, usually characterized by some degree of transparency so that both the background and foreground objects are visible.

   The title credits appeared over the dusky opening scene in superimposed white text.

2. Geology. (of a stream or drainage system) having a course not adjusted to the structure of the rocks presently undergoing erosion but determined instead by a prior erosion cycle or by formerly overlying rocks or sediments.

3. Botany. (of a plant part) growing one over another, but separately, as in layers.

   The superimposed whorls of petals give these begonia blossoms a roselike appearance.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of superimpose.

Etymology

Origin of superimposed

First recorded in 1795–1805; superimpose + -ed ²

Example Sentences

These structures have a built-in twist, either left- or right-handed, that cannot be superimposed on its mirror image.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

Chirality refers to objects that cannot be superimposed on their mirror images, like left and right hands.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2026

The posters bear the message "we belong together" superimposed over a photo of a stadium of fans, taken from the last date of Styles' 2022-23 world tour.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2026

The result was fully in character, photographed in murky black-and-white for a worldwide online audience, and layered with Lynchian imagery and juxtapositions: smoke, fire, strange objects and dead animals superimposed over the band.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2025

Suddenly, with great clarity, she saw another scene superimposed upon it: two laughing girls at a water fountain dressed in bright blue pants and cotton sweaters.

From "The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen