2. Reaching or comprehending only what is obvious or apparent; not deep or profound; shallow; — said
especially in respect to study, learning, and the like; as, a superficial scholar; superficial knowledge.
This superficial tale
Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
Shak.
He is a presumptuous and superficial writer.
Burke.
That superficial judgment, which happens to be right without deserving to be so.
J. H. Newman. — Su`per*fi"cial*ly, adv. — Su`per*fi"cial*ness, n.
Superficialist
(Su`per*fi"cial*ist), n. One who attends to anything superficially; a superficial or shallow
person; a sciolist; a smatterer.
Superficiality
(Su`per*fi`ci*al"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. superficialité.] The quality or state of being superficial; also,
that which is superficial. Sir T. Browne.
Superficialize
(Su`per*fi"cial*ize) v. t. To attend to, or to treat, superficially, or in a shallow or slighting
way. [R.]
It is a characteristic weakness of the day to superficialize evil.
E. P. Whipple. Superficiary
(Su`per*fi"ci*a*ry) n. (Rom. Law) One to whom a right of surface occupation is granted; one
who pays quitrent for a house built upon another man's ground.
Superficiary
(Su`per*fi"ci*a*ry), a.
1. Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; superficial.
2. (Rom. Law) Situated or built on another man's land, as a house.
Superficies
(Su`per*fi"cies) n. [L., fr. super above, over + facies make, figure, shape. See Surface.]
1. The surface; the exterior part, superficial area, or face of a thing.
2. (Civil Law) (a) Everything on the surface of a piece of ground, or of a building, so closely connected
by art or nature as to constitute a part of it, as houses, or other superstructures, fences, trees, vines,
etc. (b) A real right consisting of a grant by a landed proprietor of a piece of ground, bearing a strong
resemblance to the long building leases granted by landholders in England, in consideration of a rent,
and under reservation of the ownership of the soil. Bouvier. Wharton.
Superfine
(Su"per*fine) a.
1. Very fine, or most fine; being of surpassing fineness; of extra nice or fine quality; as, superfine cloth.
2. Excessively fine; too nice; over particular; as, superfine distinctions; superfine tastes.
Superfineness
(Su"per*fine`ness), n. The state of being superfine.
Superfinical
(Su`per*fin"i*cal) a. Extremely finical.
Superfluence
(Su*per"flu*ence) n. [L. superfluens, p. pr. of superfluere to flow or run over. See Superfluous.]
Superfluity. [Obs.] Hammond.
Superfluitant
(Su`per*flu"i*tant) a. [L. super above + fluitans, p. pr. of fluitare intensive fr. fluere to
flow.] Floating above or on the surface. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. — Su`per*flu"i*tance n. [Obs.]
