superposition

[ soo-per-puh-zish-uh n ]

/ ˌsu pər pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun Geology.

the order in which sedimentary strata are superposed one above another.

Nearby words

Compare law of superposition.

Origin of superposition

1790–1800; < French superposition; see super-, position

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for superposition

It is obtained by the superposition of photographs of different persons, and is itself different from any of them.
The Criminal & the Community|James Devon
The resultant effect is a blur, due to superposition, and the inscription cannot be read with the eyes open.
Response in the Living and Non-Living|Jagadis Chunder Bose
If this method of superposition is not possible, locate by measurement.
Handwork in Wood|William Noyes
The maximum effect produced by superposition of stimuli increases with the intensity of the constituent stimuli.
Response in the Living and Non-Living|Jagadis Chunder Bose

Finally, he made a superposition of some of their observation tape, examined it, and turned.
The Players|Everett B. Cole

British Dictionary definitions for superposition

superposition

/ (ˌsuːpəpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

the act of superposing or state of being superposed

geology the principle that in any sequence of sedimentary rocks which has not been disturbed, the oldest strata lie at the bottom and the youngest at the top

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 superposition

superposition

1650s, from French superposition, from Late Latin superpositionem (nominative superpositio), noun of action from past participle stem of superponere, from super (see super-) + ponere "to put, place" (see position).

Science definitions for superposition

superposition

[ sōō′pər-pə-zĭsh′ən ]

The principle that in a group of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest were the earliest to be deposited.

The principle by which the description of the state of a physical system can be broken down into descriptions that are themselves possible states of the system. For example, harmonic motion, as of a violin string, can be analyzed as the sum of harmonic frequencies or harmonics, each of which is itself a kind of harmonic motion; harmonic motion is therefore a superposition of individual harmonics.

The combination of two or more physical states, such as waves, to form a new physical state in accordance with this principle. See also wave. See Note at Schrödinger.