ˌsuperimˈposed, ppl. a.
[f. prec. + -ed1.]
1. a. Placed or laid upon something else; often loosely with pl. n., laid one upon another.
| 1805–17 R. Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 3) 123 They [sc. alterations of figures] are named superimposed, when they occur in the same part of the fundamental figure, and when the first alteration is modified by a second. 1832 Gell Pompeiana I. vi. 109 To bear the superimposed weight. 1834–5 J. Phillips Geol. in Encycl. Metrop. (1845) VI. 703/1 Basaltic pillars, if permitted to assume their natural shapes, without pressing one against another, would resemble a number of superimposed spheroids. 1849 Ruskin Sev. Lamps v. §13. 148 The curious variations in the adjustments of the superimposed shafts. 1879 H. George Progr. & Pov. v. i. (1881) 252 Imagine a pyramid composed of superimposed layers. |
b. Phys. Geog. Applied to ‘a natural system of drainage that has been established on underlying rocks independently of their structure’ (Funk's Stand. Dict. 1895).
| 1875 J. W. Powell Explor. Colorado Valley 166 The beds in which the streams had their origin..have been swept away. I propose to call such superimposed valleys. 1898 I. C. Russell River Developm. vii. 244 (heading) Superimposed streams. Ibid. 245 A drainage system inherited in this manner by one geological terrane from another is said to be superimposed. 1977 A. Hallam Planet Earth 76/2 Alternatively, in superimposed drainage, the river courses may have initially developed on a cover of rocks whose structure was different to that of the rocks beneath, the upper beds having since disappeared through erosion. |
2. fig. Superadded; caused to co-exist.
| 1850 Denison Clock & Watch-m. 104 A secondary or superimposed motion to the hands. 1891 Hardy Tess xlvi, His heated face, which had also a superimposed flush of excitement. |
3. Placed over another in rank.
| 1861 Pearson Early & Mid. Ages Eng. 90 The strong Norman yoke and the superimposed Norman nobility crushed Angle and Dane and Saxon into Englishmen. |