sur-

1

a prefix meaning “over, above,” “in addition,” occurring mainly in loanwords from French and partial calques of French words: surcharge; surname; surrender; survive.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT
Compare super-.

Origin of sur-

1
Middle English < Old French < Latin super- super-

Words nearby sur-

supvr., suq, suquamish, suqutra, sur, sur-, sur-royal, sura, surabaya, surah, surajah dowlah

Definition for sur- (2 of 2)

sur-2

variant of sub- before r: surrogate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for sur- (1 of 2)

sur-1

prefix

over; above; beyondsurcharge; surrealism Compare super-

Word Origin for sur-

from Old French, from Latin super-

British Dictionary definitions for sur- (2 of 2)

sur-2

prefix

a variant of sub- surrogate
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