supersede
[soo-per-seed]
- to replace in power, authority, effectiveness, acceptance, use, etc., as by another person or thing.
- to set aside or cause to be set aside as void, useless, or obsolete, usually in favor of something mentioned; make obsolete: They superseded the old statute with a new one.
- to succeed to the position, function, office, etc., of; supplant.
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Origin of supersede
Synonyms
See more synonyms for supersede on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for superseding
Contemporary Examples
Of course, the U.S. Constitution as written bans religious law from superseding our own laws by way of the Supremacy Clause.
This was followed by a third superseding indictment in which the number of counts was reduced to five.
In May of 2008, a superseding indictment was issued upping the number of counts to fifteen.
Historical Examples
Sir John Moore then, superseding them all, took the command.
As yet there was no idea of superseding the episcopal functions.
FolkwaysWilliam Graham Sumner
“You have succeeded so well, that I should not think of superseding you,” answered his brother.
Hendricks the HunterW.H.G. Kingston
Hence was formed from it the anomalous genitive its superseding the Saxon his.
A Handbook of the English LanguageRobert Gordon Latham
My services suited her better, and I often had the honor of superseding Frances.
RutledgeMiriam Coles Harris
supersede
- to take the place of (something old-fashioned or less appropriate); supplant
- to replace in function, office, etc; succeed
- to discard or set aside or cause to be set aside as obsolete or inferior
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Word Origin
C15: via Old French from Latin supersedēre to sit above, from super- + sedēre to sit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for superseding
supersede
v.
mid-15c., Scottish, "postpone, defer," from Middle French superceder "desist, delay, defer," from Latin supersedere "sit on top of, stay clear of, abstain from, forbear, refrain from," from super "above" (see super-) + sedere "to sit" (see sedentary). In Scottish law, a judicial order protecting a debtor. Meaning "displace, replace" first recorded 1640s. Related: Superseded; superseding.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper