a. (adv., sb.) Obs. Also 4–6 superflu, 5–6 -fleu, Sc. -flew. [a. OF. superflu (from 13th cent.) = Pr. superflu, It., Sp., Pg. superfluo, or ad. their source L. superfluus, f. superfluĕre, f. super- SUPER- 2 + fluĕre to flow.]
A. adj. 1. More than sufficient, superabundant; = SUPERFLUOUS 1.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 51. Þat þei geyt þer of superfleu riches, prid of world, and lust of flesch.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 44. If þer growe … any superflue flesshe in þe hole.
1460–70. Bk. Quinte Essence, 3. It haþ a synguler strenkþe … to drawe awey þe superflue humouris fro þe heed.
1533. Bellenden, Livy, II. xix. (S.T.S.), I. 202. The romanis … had superflew nowmer of pepill to abandoun þe rage of vncouth Inemyis.
1566. Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. I. I. 471. Be interchange of the excrescence and superflew frutis growand in the Laich and Hielandis.
b. Having something in excess.
Superflue number, a number the sum of the aliquot parts of which exceeds the number itself.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxiv. (1495), 445 b. Superflue nombres & Diminutif ben vnordynatly disposyd and compownyd of noo certen ende of nombres.
c. 1420. Wyclif’s Bible, Lev. xxii. 23, margin. In Ebreu it is, a scheep and an oxe superflu and dymynute, that is, hauynge a membre superflu ether failinge a membre.
2. Not needed or necessary; = SUPERFLUOUS 2.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 76. Þe first part of þis gospel makiþ ende of Cristis ordre;… and whatevere be more in any ordre is superflue.
c. 1400. Love, Bonavent. Mirr., vii. (1908), 53. Gostly circumsicioun, that is kuttynge away fro vs alle superflue thinges that disposen to synne.
1484. Caxton, Fables of Poge, iv. The superflue cure of them whiche gouerne the dogges and hawkes.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), I. 17. Som tyme addynge, somtyme detractinge and takinge away such thinges a[s semeth me necessary and superflue.
b. Useless, vain; = SUPERFLUOUS 2 d.
1388. Wyclif, Wisd. xvi. 29. The hope of an vnkynde man … schal perische as superflu [Vulg. supervacua] watir.
c. 1430. Life St. Kath. (1884), 27. Þe secte of ȝoure fayth is so superflu and vnresonable þat hit semeþ to be receyued of noon þat hath his ryght mynde.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 184/2. The wordes & menaces that thou hast spoken been but vayne and superflue.
3. Exceeding what is right or normal, immoderate, excessive; = SUPERFLUOUS 3.
1388. Wyclif, Eccl. ii. 26. He ȝaf turment, and superflu bisynesse to a synnere.
c. 1412. Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 3825. Many a lust superflu mot he lete, And lykerous.
a. 1425. trans. Arderne’s Treat. Fistula, etc., 34. Þe emplastre remoued, þer appered aboue ȝe emplastre ful putrid quitour in superflue quantite.
1561. in Exch. Rolls Scotl., XIX. 477. This chairg is superflew. Charge in the soum of £112 albeit he suld be chargit with £91.
1584. Reg. Privy Council Scot., Ser. I. III. 661. Ony superflew or extraordinar panis.
4. Of persons: Extravagant, excessive; = SUPERFLUOUS 4. Const. in, of.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 200. Freris and preestis þat gadren hem tresure,… and algatis fynden [? are found to be] a peple superflue and charginge.
c. 1425. St. Mary of Oignies, I. xi. in Anglia, VIII. 147/31. Ȝee superflue wymmen full of pompe and pryde. Ibid., II. iii. 155/33. She hadde be superflue in cloþes.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), II. 215. He is a fole that his erys wyll inclyne Lyghtly to his wordes … that apereth superflue of langage.
1556. Aurelio & Isab. (1608), K v. It sholde be beter to faille a litell in the justice, than to be superflue in crualte.
B. adv. In excess, excessively.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 50. It semiþ good … þat þe kirk be honorid, neuerþeles not to mikil nor superflue, ne curiously.
1553. Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot., X. 213. The compositioun of the Courte Buke of Hadingtoun, witht quhilk the comptar wes … superflu chargit … extending to xxiiij li.
1588. Rot. Scacc. Reg. Scot., XXI. 352, marg. Vrang calculat and superflue chargit, 10 s.
C. sb. That which is superfluous.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 146. Lordes schulden helpe hom [sc. their servants], as kepere of a vyneȝerd schulde helpe þo vynes, and kutt awey supe[r]flu þat growes in hom.
