† superflue, a. (adv., n.) Obs.
Also 4–6 superflu, 5–6 -fleu, Sc. -flew.
[a. OF. superflu (from 13th cent.) = Pr. superflu, It., Sp., Pg. superfluo, or ad. their source L. superfluus, f. superfluĕre, f. super- super- 2 + fluĕre to flow.]
A. adj.
1. More than sufficient, superabundant; = superfluous 1.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 51 Þat þei geyt þer of superfleu riches, prid of world, and lust of flesch. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula etc. 44 If þer growe..any superflue flesshe in þe hole. 1460–70 Bk. Quinte Essence 3 It haþ a synguler strenkþe..to drawe awey þe superflue humouris fro þe heed. 1533 Bellenden Livy ii. xix. (S.T.S.) I. 202 The romanis..had superflew nowmer of pepill to abandoun þe rage of vncouth Inemyis. 1566 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. I. 471 Be interchange of the excrescence and superflew frutis growand in the Laich and Hielandis. |
b. Having something in excess.
superflue number, a number the sum of the aliquot parts of which exceeds the number itself.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xix. cxxiv. (1495) 445 b, Superflue nombres & Diminutif ben vnordynatly disposyd and compownyd of noo certen ende of nombres. c 1420 Wyclif's Bible Lev. xxii. 23 margin, In Ebreu it is, a scheep and an oxe superflu and dymynute, that is, hauynge a membre superflu ether failinge a membre. |
2. Not needed or necessary; = superfluous 2.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 76 Þe first part of þis gospel makiþ ende of Cristis ordre;..and whatevere be more in any ordre is superflue. c 1400 Love Bonavent. Mirr. vii. (1908) 53 Gostly circumsicioun, that is kuttynge away fro vs alle superflue thinges that disposen to synne. 1484 Caxton Fables of Poge iv, The superflue cure of them whiche gouerne the dogges and hawkes. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1874) I. 17 Som tyme addynge, somtyme detractinge and takinge away suche thinges a[s] semeth me necessary and superflue. |
b. Useless, vain; = superfluous 2 d.
| 1388 Wyclif Wisd. xvi. 29 The hope of an vnkynde man..schal perische as superflu [Vulg. supervacua] watir. c 1430 Life St. Kath. (1884) 27 Þe secte of ȝoure fayth is so superflu and vnresonable þat hit semeþ to be receyued of noon þat hath his ryght mynde. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 184/2 The wordes & menaces that thou hast spoken been but vayne and superflue. |
3. Exceeding what is right or normal, immoderate, excessive; = superfluous 3.
| 1388 Wyclif Eccl. ii. 26 He ȝaf turment, and superflu bisynesse to a synnere. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3825 Many a lust superflu mot he lete, And lykerous. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 34 Þe emplastre remoued, þer appered aboue ȝe emplastre ful putrid quitour in superflue quantite. 1561 in Exch. Rolls Scotl. XIX. 477 This chairg is superflew. Charge in the soum of {pstlg}112 albeit he suld be chargit with {pstlg}91. 1584 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. III. 661 Ony superflew or extraordinar panis. |
4. Of persons: Extravagant, excessive; = superfluous 4. Const. in, of.
| c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 200 Freris and preestis þat gadren hem tresure,..and algatis fynden [? are found to be] a peple superflue and charginge. c 1425 St. Mary of Oignies i. xi. in Anglia VIII. 147/31 Ȝee superflue wymmen full of pompe and pryde. Ibid. ii. iii. 155/33 She hadde be superflue in cloþes. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1874) II. 215 He is a fole that his erys wyll inclyne Lyghtly to his wordes..that apereth superflue of langage. 1556 Aurelio & Isab. (1608) K v, It sholde be beter to faille a litell in the justice, than to be superflue in crualte. |
B. adv. In excess, excessively.
| c 1400 Apol. Loll. 50 It semiþ good..þat þe kirk be honorid, neuerþeles not to mikil nor superflue, ne curiously. 1553 Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. X. 213 The compositioun of the Courte Buke of Hadingtoun, witht quhilk the comptar wes..superflu chargit..extending to xxiiij li. 1588 Rot. Scacc. Reg. Scot. XXI. 352 marg., Vrang calculat and superflue chargit, 10 s. |
C. n. That which is superfluous.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 146 Lordes schulden helpe hom [sc. their servants], as kepere of a vyneȝerd schulde helpe þo vynes, and kutt awey supe[r]flu þat growes in hom. |