Now rare. [ad. mod.L. *superannuātus, altered f. superannātus SUPERANNATE.] A. adj. = SUPERANNUATED.
1647. Ward, Simple Cobler, 21. As if former Truths were grown superannuate and saplesse, if not altogether antiquate.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, I. iv. 13. I believe Rosinante was a Gelding, or else a Stallion super-annuate.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. xiii. 421. Sailors,… when maimed, or wounded, or superannuate.
1866. Mansfield, School Life Winchester Coll. (1870), 237. Superannuate—a boy who was obliged [c. 1840] to leave at Election, owing to his being past eighteen years of age. ‘Founders’ were not ‘Superannuate’ till they were twenty-five.
1869. Lowell, Cathedral, 647. Superannuate forms and mumping shams.
B. sb. A superannuated person; spec. at Winchester School (see quot. 1866 in A.).
1822. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 351. Two ancient servants, who … have a reasonable claim to repose … in the sanctuary of invalids and superannuates.
1855. Potts, Liber Cantabr., I. 416. Funds out of which exhibitions … are given to superannuates of the foundation [of Winchester College].
1901. Westm. Gaz., 25 July, 2/2. The prison service is no longer a refuge for the superannuates of the Army and the Navy.
