Where does “superfluous” come from?
Superfluous derives from Latin superfluus, formed from super and fluere, ultimately tracing to Proto-Indo-European bʰel- meaning to swell or overflow.
superfluous (English): In excess of what is required or sufficient
Definitions
- In excess of what is required or sufficient
Ancestry of “superfluous”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Latin | superfluus | running over, overflowing; superfluous,... |
| 2 | Latin | superfluō | to run over, overflow |
| 3 | Latin | super- | super-; over, above |
| 4 | Latin | super | "accusative" above, on the top of, upon;... |
| 5 | Latin | eks-uper | — |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | upéri | alternative reconstruction of *upér |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | upér | above; over |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | upó | under, below |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₃ewp- | — |