Superannuation

[f. SUPERANNUATE or prec.: see -ATION.]

  1.  The condition of being superannuated; impairment of the powers or faculties by old age; the state of having outlived one’s vigor; senile infirmity or decay. Obs. or rare.

1755.  Johnson, Superannuation, the state of being disqualified by years.

1772.  Mrs. Delany, Life & Corr., Ser. II. (1862), I. 449. I feel so old y^t its impossible to stir from home. Sorry I am you sh^d be affected by my superannuation.

1782.  T. Pownall, Treat. Antiq., 54. The mere doating of superannuation.

1824.  Hogg, Conf. Sinner, 85. In his last ravings, he uttered some incoherent words…. These … were the words of superannuation.

1827.  Scott, Chron. Canongate, i. To dribble away life in exchanging bits of painted pasteboard round a green table, for the piddling concern of a few shillings, can only be excused in folly or superannuation.

  † b.  The condition of being out of date; antiquated or obsolete state or character.

1658.  Phillips, Superannuation, an out-living, or growing out of date.

a. 1834.  Coleridge, Church & State (1839), 277. I … doubt, whether the superannuation of sundry superstitious fancies be the result of any real diffusion of sound thinking.

1845.  De Quincey, John Foster, Wks. 1890, XI. 337. A monk he seemed by … the superannuation of his knowledge.

  2.  The action of superannuating an official; also, the allowance or pension granted to one who is discharged on account of age.

a. 1704.  T. Brown, Walk round Lond., Coffee-Houses (1709), 39. Their [sc. the lieutenants’] only hopes were now Half-Pay, or Superanuation.

1820.  Edin. Rev., XXXIII. 485. Superannuations in the Foreign Office.

1834.  Act 4 & 5 Will. IV., c. 24 § 10. In no Case … shall any Superannuation or Allowance exceeding Two Thirds of the Salary and Emoluments of any such Officer, Clerk, or Person, be granted.

1863.  P. Barry, Dockyard Econ., 3. Buildings … in which wretched labourers wear out soul and body for 13s. weekly and contingent superannuation.

1887.  Ruskin, Præterita, II. § 92. 163. The superannuation, according to law, in his sixtieth year of Joseph Couttet, the Captain of Mont Blanc.

  b.  At certain schools, the attainment of the specified age at which a boy is required to leave.

1831.  W. L. Bowles, Life Ken, II. Introd. p. xiv. After his superannuation at [Winchester] School, he has another year’s grace.

1865.  Reader, 9 Sept., 285/3. Nineteen years … is … the age prescribed by King Henry’s Statutes for the superannuation of his scholars [at Eton].

  3.  attrib. (in sense 2), as superannuation allowance, fund, scheme.

1817.  Jrnl. Ho. Commons, LXXII. 276/2. To defray the charge of the Superannuation Allowances or Compensations.

1821.  in Parl. Papers Eng. (1828), V. 492. That the Individuals who may hereafter enjoy the benefit of Superannuation Allowances, should be called upon to contribute to a Superannuation Fund.

1891.  Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Oct., 2/3. Recent inquiries into superannuation schemes.

1911.  Act 1 of 2 Geo. V., c. 55 § 25. A superannuation or other provident fund.