superstition

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“
I am rather hazy on modern Egyptian architecture Cairn nodded his head absently You laugh," he said, "but the active force of a superstition--what we call a superstition--is sometimes a terrible thing Sime stared Eh!"

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Definitions (12)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
  2. noun A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.
  3. noun A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
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Examples

  • All superfluous ornament is rejected by the cold frugality of the protestants; but the catholic superstition, which is always the enemy of reason, is often the parent of the arts. —  Memoirs of My Life and Writings
  • I am rather hazy on modern Egyptian architecture Cairn nodded his head absently You laugh," he said, "but the active force of a superstition--what we call a superstition--is sometimes a terrible thing Sime stared Eh!" —  Brood of the Witch-Queen
  • Whether superstition is the father of humbug, or humbug the mother of superstition (as well as its nurse,) I do not pretend to say; for the biggest fools and the greatest philosophers can be numbered among the believers in and victims of the worst humbugs that ever prevailed on the earth. —  The Humbugs of the World An Account of Humbugs, Delusions, Impositions, Quackeries, Deceits and Deceivers Generally, in All Ages
  • For their superstition is an inversion of the ancestor-worship of China; and instead of vainly appealing to something that is dead, they appeal to something that may never be born. —  What I Saw in America
  • "You laugh," he said, "but the active force of a superstition -- what we call a superstition -- is sometimes a terrible thing." —  Brood of the Witch-Queen
 

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Words tagged superstition

triskaidekaphobia · triscodecaphobia

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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English supersticion, from Old French superstition, from Latin superstitiō, superstitiōn-, from superstes, superstit-, standing over; see stā- in Indo-European roots.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Early modern English supersticion, supersticyon; from Old French (and F.) superstition = Spanish supersticion = Portuguese superstição = Italian superstizione, superstition, from Latin superstitio(n-), excessive fear of the gods, unreasonable religious belief, superstition; connected with superstes (superstit-), standing by, being present (as a noun, a bystander, a witness), also standing over, as in triumph, also, in another use, surviving, remaining, from superstare, stand upon or over, also survive, from super, over, above, + stare, stand: see state, stand. As in the case of religio(n-), relligio(n-), religion (see religion), the exact original sense of superstitio(n-) is uncertain; it is supposed to have been a ‘standing over something’ in amazement or awe. The explanation (reflected, e. g., in the quot. from Lowell, below) that it means literally ‘a survival’ (namely, of savage or barbarous beliefs generally outgrown) is modern, and is entirely foreign to Roman thought.
 

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/sjupərˈstɪʃən/
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