superstructure
/sˈupɚstɹˌʌktʃɚ/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.89 in modern English
18
Scrabble Score
14
Letters
4
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Any material structure or edifice built on something else; that which is raised on a foundation or basis.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The sleepers and fastenings, in distinction from the roadbed.
British usage; Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "The Wards are open-topped, with skyscrapers rising from the superstructure. Towers are sealed against vacuum, as the breathable atmosphere envelope is only maintained to a height of about seven meters. The atmosphere is contained by the centrifugal force of rotation and a "membrane" of dense, colorless sulphur hexafluoride gas, held in place by carefully managed mass effect fields."
- "The superstructure evolves more slowly and is more resistant to change than the economic infrastructure, especially in the modern industrial age of advanced capitalism."
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *úp Proto-Indo-European *-er Proto-Indo-European *upér Proto-Italic *super Latin super Latin super-lbor. English super- English structure English superstructure From super- + structure.
Usage
- Countable
- Uncountable
- British usage