superincumbent

[ soo-per-in-kuhm-buhnt ]

adjective

1. lying or resting on something else.
2. situated above; overhanging.
3. exerted from above, as pressure.

superincumbent

/ ˌsuːpərɪnˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. lying or being on top of something else
2. situated or suspended above; overhanging

Derived Forms

• ˌsuperinˈcumbently, adverb
• ˌsuperinˈcumbence, noun

Other Words From

• super·in·cumbence super·in·cumben·cy noun
• super·in·cumbent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of superincumbent¹

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

Example Sentences

Duplicates of each were ranged in opposition, until the table groaned with its superincumbent weight.

From Project Gutenberg

A banded column, such as we see in Early English Gothic, looks weak and incapable of supporting the superincumbent weight.

From Project Gutenberg

Below us slept the waters of the bay, reflecting, in their crystal depths, the superincumbent mountains and overarching sky.

From Project Gutenberg

An idea may thus be gained of the very considerable amount of superincumbent materials.

From Project Gutenberg

Secondly, the superincumbent strata can be assigned to one period only of the archaeological series, viz.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brutal
• burdensome
• cruel
• depressing
• dictatorial
• harsh
• heavy-handed
• inhuman
• onerous
• overbearing
• tyrannical
• unjust