sb. [ad. late L. superēminentia, f. superēminent-: see below and -ENCE. Cf. obs. F. supereminence, F. suréminence.] The quality or fact of being supereminent; supreme or special eminence; rarely in physical sense, supreme height or loftiness.
1616. Bullokar, Eng. Expos., Supereminence, authoritie, or dignitie aboue others.
1626. T. H[awkins], trans. Caussin’s Holy Crt., 99. The same ought to be in God, as in theyr source, with a radiant lustre of supereminence.
1641. Milton, Reform., II. 89. In supereminence of beatifick Vision.
1665. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 3. The Hill called Garachiga [in Teneriffe] … outbraves … all the Earth for supereminence.
1691. Baxter, Nat. Ch., xiii. 55. Magistrates represent him [sc. God] in his Super-eminence and Ruling Power.
1813. Shelley, Q. Mab, VIII. 211–2. Note, The supereminence of man is like Satan’s, a supereminence of pain.
1819. Scott, Leg. Montrose, xvi. Montrose … had expected from that party the supereminence of council and command.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 123. The question of his supereminence as a painter.
Hence † Supereminence v. trans., to place in a position of supereminence.
1647. M. Hudson, Div. Right Govt., title-p., The Phansyed State-Principles Supereminencing salutem populi above the Kings Honour.
