superstruct, v. Now rare or Obs.
(s(j)uːpəˈstrʌkt)
[f. L. superstruct-, pa. ppl. stem of superstruĕre, f. super- super- 2 + struĕre to build.]
trans. To build upon something else; to construct upon a foundation; to erect as a superstructure. a. Usually fig. or in fig. context. (Very common in the latter half of the 17th c.)
| a 1643 Ld. Falkland, etc. Infallibility (1646) 20 All that Master Chillingworth's large Booke hath superstructed on this foundation. 1646 Hammond Tracts 87 What small ground it hath..as a foundation to superstruct any other doctrines upon. 1652 H. L'Estrange Amer. no Jewes 1 The Author first layes down six Conjectures, upon which he superstructs the maine Fabrique of his Work and Arguments. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. i. (1691) 21 The effects of their Policy, superstructed upon these natural Advantages, and not as some think upon the excess of their Understandings. a 1734 North Exam. i. i. §8 (1740) 18 This he lays down for a Foundation whereon to superstruct a wonderful Colossus of Reproach. 1779–81 Johnson L.P., Pope Wks. 1787 IV. 99 Those..on whose approbation his esteem of himself was superstructed. 1819 T. Hope Anastasius (1820) I. vi. 124 This artificial exterior, this refinement of appearance, were the more remarkable from the simplicity of mind, the singleness of heart, on which they seemed superstructed. |
| absol. 1642 Sir S. D'Ewes Autobiog. (1845) II. 294 Lady Win hath laid a foundation of hope for mee, upon which I must beseech you to superstruct. 1661 Power Exp. Philos. Pref. (1664) C 4, Though he have erroneously superstructed upon his Experiments. 1737 L. Clarke Hist. Bible (1740) II. 210 Daily improving and increasing and superstructing upon that foundation. |
b. More rarely
lit.;
occas. in reference to natural structures. (Also
absol.)
| 1664 Evelyn Sylva xviii. 39 Vitruvius tells us, that the Morasses about Ravenna..were pil'd with this Timber [sc. alder], to superstruct upon. a 1687 Petty Treat. Naval Philos. i. ii, The Cabbins and what is usually superstructed upon the upper Deck. 1831 T. Hope Ess. Orig. Man II. 28 Former masses inorganic and lifeless superstruct in unbroken cohesion with them other later parts having all the essential attributes of organization, life and growth. 1843 I. F. Romer Rhone, etc. I. 309 Upon which, in latter times, the Moors had superstructed a fortress. |
Hence
superˈstructed ppl. a.;
superˈstructing vbl. n.| 1654 Hammond Fundamentals ii. Wks. 1674 I. 278 Doctrines..apt to obstruct or intercept the superstructing of Christian life. Ibid. xii. 300 It were unreasonable..to..wonder at this constancy in particular superstructed errors.., whilst [etc.]. 1826 G. S. Faber Diffic. Romanism (1853) 374 note, Their superstructed doctrinal decisions. 1831 T. Hope Ess. Orig. Man I. 29, I have cleared away..all later, more partial and more superstructed attributes not only of mind but even of matter. |