a. [ad. late L. superterrēnus: see SUPER- 1 a and TERRENE.]
1. = SUPERTERRANEAN.
1709. T. Robinson, Nat. Hist. Westmoreld., iv. 23. The Division of the Waters was made into Waters subterrene, superterrene, and nubiferous.
a. 1874. De Morgan, Budget Parad. (1872), 137. Gutta percha and Rowland Hill are the great discoveries of our day: gutta percha being to the submarine post what Rowland Hill is to the super-terrene.
1881. G. Milner, Country Pleas., xxi. 105. Some far-off æon when your progenitors nested or herded in such a superterrene covert.
2. Existing or dwelling in a region above the earth; belonging to a higher world: = next, 1.
1755. Smollett, Quix., I. III. xii. 178. I am positive it began with subterrene and sublime princess! It could not be subterrene, said the barber, but superterrene or sovereign.
1866. Mill, in Edin. Rev., CXXIII. 328. The gods must live in the perpetual contemplation of these glorious and superterrene existences.