superfluous

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Ph was, in a way, superfluous from the start, since f was available.

View all »Definitions (10)

American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. adjective Being beyond what is required or sufficient.
  2. Syntax Note
    Synonyms: superfluous, excess, extra, spare, supernumerary, surplus
    These adjectives mean being more than is needed, desired, required, or appropriate: delete superfluous words; trying to lose excess weight; found some extra change on the dresser; sleeping in the spare room; supernumerary ornamentation; distributed surplus food to the needy.

View all » Examples

  • Ph was, in a way, superfluous from the start, since f was available. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol VII No 4
  • The accumulating facts, however, point more and more definitely toward an utterly preposterous conclusion. —  First Lensman
  • 41122] Rich, anti-revolutionary, and vicious, "according to Robespierre, [41123]" these three traits depend on each other, and, therefore, the possession of the superfluous is an infallible sign of aristocracy, a visible mark of incivism "and, as Fouché says," a stamp of reprobation. " —  The French Revolution - Volume 3
  • Then the drill of the small infantry begins anew, but pauses again because some urchin -- who agrees with Voltaire that the superfluous is a very necessary thing -- insists on spelling "subtraction" with an _s_ too much. —  Among My Books First Series
  • Perfect line, chaste ornamentation, the elimination of the superfluous was the result of the Greek idea of restraint -- self-control in all things and in all expression. —  The Art of Interior Decoration
 

Stats

Superfluous has been looked up 1,216 times, favorited 15 times, listed 192 times, commented on 0 times, and has a Scrabble score of 16.

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View all »Etymologies (3)

American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English, from Old French superflueux, from Latin superfluus, from superfluere, to overflow : super-, super- + fluere, to flow; see bhleu- in Indo-European roots.

WordNet

 

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Pronunciations

/ (so͝o-pûrˈflo͞o-əs)/
ahd pronounces "superfluous"
by American Heritage Dictionary
Dysiode pronounces "superfluous"
by Dysiode
uselessness pronounces "superfluous"
by uselessness

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Occurrences of the word "superfluous" per million words:

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