superincumbent
Americanadjective
-
lying or resting on something else.
-
situated above; overhanging.
-
exerted from above, as pressure.
adjective
-
lying or being on top of something else
-
situated or suspended above; overhanging
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of superincumbent
1655–65; < Latin superincumbent- (stem of superincumbēns ), present participle of superincumbere to lean over; see 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.
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
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
The artist endeavours to render it ideally visible to the spectator by placing a gigantic figure, which appears to be raising the superincumbent weight on his shoulders; but the result is not altogether successful.
From The Art of Needle-work, from the Earliest Ages, 3rd ed. Including Some Notices of the Ancient Historical Tapestries by Menzies, Sutherland, fl. 1840-1883
Notwithstanding the care taken to shore them up, the roofs of the abandoned quarries still give way occasionally under the superincumbent weight.
From Paris From the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Volume 2 by Walton, William
A portion of this may be got by the process known as robbing the pillars, but the coal so obtained is liable to be very much crushed from the pressure of the superincumbent strata.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 5 "Clervaux" to "Cockade" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
