superannuation
(ˈs(j)uːpərænjuːˈeɪʃən)
[f. superannuate or prec.: see -ation.]
1. The condition of being superannuated; impairment of the powers or faculties by old age; the state of having outlived one's vigour; senile infirmity or decay. Obs. or rare.
| 1755 Johnson, Superannuation, the state of being disqualified by years. 1772 Mrs. Delany Life & Corr. Ser. ii. (1862) I. 449, I feel so old y{supt} its impossible to stir from home. Sorry I am you sh{supd} be affected by my superannuation. 1782 T. Pownall Treat. Antiq. 54 The mere doating of super⁓annuation. 1824 Hogg Conf. Sinner 85 In his last ravings, he uttered some incoherent words... These..were the words of superannuation. 1827 Scott Chron. Canongate i, To dribble away life in exchanging bits of painted pasteboard round a green table, for the piddling concern of a few shillings, can only be excused in folly or superannuation. |
† b. The condition of being out of date; antiquated or obsolete state or character.
| 1658 Phillips, Superannuation, an out-living, or growing out of date. a 1834 Coleridge Church & State (1839) 277, I..doubt, whether the superannuation of sundry superstitious fancies be the result of any real diffusion of sound thinking. 1845 De Quincey John Foster Wks. 1890 XI. 337 A monk he seemed by..the superannuation of his knowledge. |
2. The action of superannuating an official; also, the allowance or pension granted to one who is discharged on account of age.
| a 1704 T. Brown Walk round Lond., Coffee-Houses (1709) 39 Their [sc. the lieutenants'] only hopes were now Half-Pay, or Superanuation. 1820 Edin. Rev. XXXIII. 485 Superannuations in the Foreign Office. 1834 Act 4 & 5 Will. IV, c. 24 §10 In no Case..shall any Superannuation or Allowance exceeding Two Thirds of the Salary and Emoluments of any such Officer, Clerk, or Person, be granted. 1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 3 Buildings..in which wretched labourers wear out soul and body for 13s. weekly and contingent superannuation. 1887 Ruskin Præterita II. §92. 163 The superannuation, according to law, in his sixtieth year of Joseph Couttet, the Captain of Mont Blanc. |
b. At certain schools, the attainment of the specified age at which a boy is required to leave.
| 1831 W. L. Bowles Life Ken II. Introd. p. xiv, After his superannuation at [Winchester] School, he has another year's grace. 1865 Reader 9 Sept. 285/3 Nineteen years..is..the age prescribed by King Henry's Statutes for the superannuation of his scholars [at Eton]. |
3. attrib. (in sense 2), as superannuation allowance, superannuation fund, superannuation scheme.
| 1817 Jrnl. Ho. Commons LXXII. 276/2 To defray the charge of the Superannuation Allowances or Compensations. 1821 in Parl. Papers Eng. (1828) V. 492 That the Individuals who may hereafter enjoy the benefit of Superannuation Allowances, should be called upon to contribute to a Superannuation Fund. 1891 Pall Mall Gaz. 20 Oct. 2/3 Recent inquiries into superannuation schemes. 1911 Act 1 & 2 Geo. V, c. 55 §25 A superannuation or other provident fund. |