from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Superlative \Su`per*la"tive\, a. [L. superlativus, fr.
superlatus excessive, used as p. p. of superiorferre, but
from a different root: cf. F. superlatif. See {Elate},
{Tolerate}.]
1. Lifted up to the highest degree; most eminent; surpassing
all other; supreme; as, superlative wisdom or prudence; a
woman of superlative beauty; the superlative glory of the
divine character.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Gram.) Expressing the highest or lowest degree of the
quality, manner, etc., denoted by an adjective or an
adverb. The superlative degree is formed from the positive
by the use of -est, most, or least; as, highest, most
pleasant, least bright.
[1913 Webster] -- {Su`per*la"tive*ly}, adv. --
{Su`per*la"tive*ness}, n.
[1913 Webster]