superstition

[ soo-per-stish-uhn ]

noun

1. a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
2. a system or collection of such beliefs.
3. a custom or act based on such a belief.
4. irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, especially in connection with religion.
5. any blindly accepted belief or notion.

superstition

/ ˌsuːpəˈstɪʃən /

noun

1. irrational belief usually founded on ignorance or fear and characterized by obsessive reverence for omens, charms, etc
2. a notion, act or ritual that derives from such belief
3. any irrational belief, esp with regard to the unknown

Word History and Origins

Origin of superstition¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin superstitiōn-, stem of superstitiō, from superstit-, stem of superstes “standing beyond, outliving” (from super- super- + -stes, combining form of stāre “to stand”) + -iō -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of superstition¹

C15: from Latin superstitiō dread of the supernatural, from superstāre to stand still by something (as in amazement)

Example Sentences

Writers were happy to note the superstition, either to goose it along or knock it down.

From Washington Post

I believe that in America it’s very similar, except we’re not wobbling between science and superstition, but between science and suspicion, fueled by social media.

From Nautilus

The problem is that our government sometimes wobbles between science and superstition.

From Nautilus

Though I don’t follow many superstitions, I definitely won’t cut my hair.

From Time

It helps that baseball has always been a sport of strange superstitions, with no clock and long odds — where you never know if you’ll connect with the incoming fastball, but you swing anyway.

From Ozy

Darwin was among the many scientists that have helped society evolve out of mysticism, superstition and faith.

From The Daily Beast

Yet superstition can also be, if my theology is correct, the first step in the other direction on that same road.

From The Daily Beast

Tally one for the superstition list… no more laundry at night.

From The Daily Beast

There is his superstition about watching every Red Sox game but never the sixth inning.

From The Daily Beast

Superstition has it that playing the Man of Steel is a career killer.

From The Daily Beast

It is beyond the comprehension of any man not blinded by superstition, not warped by prejudice and old-time convention.

From Project Gutenberg

I see no infinite goodness here, but only the infinite foolishness of sentimental superstition.

From Project Gutenberg

Buchanan the historian was, from his learning, thought in his days of superstition to be a wizard.

From Project Gutenberg

I believe that from the beginning of time the misery of the world has been caused by the superstition that love was all.

From Project Gutenberg

Organised and authoritative religion the world over makes for ignorance, for poverty and superstition.

From Project Gutenberg