[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That surpasses what is ordinary; greatly exceeding or excelling others; of very high degree.
c. 1580. Jefferie, Bugbears, IV. ii. 24. A surpassinge longing on the sodayne is bred.
1582. T. Watson, Centurie of Love, xxix. (Arb.), 65. The Authour in this Sonnet … setteth forth the surpassinge worthines of his Ladie.
c. 1595. Capt. Wyatt, R. Dudley’s Voy. W. Ind. (Hakl. Soc.), 14. Such a laborynth of surpassing troubles.
1610. Holland, Camden’s Brit. (1637), 203. An Emperour surpassing in all … Christian piety.
1667. Milton, P. L., IV. 32. O thou … with surpassing Glory crownd.
1815. Shelley, Alastor, 288. Wasting these surpassing powers In the deaf air, to the blind earth.
a. 1859. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xxiii. V. 112. The surpassing beauty of his horses, and the multitude of his running footmen.
1884. Manch. Exam., 14 May, 5/1. To the transcendent meanness and surpassing untruthfulness which lie at the basis of such an insinuation.
b. adv. = next. (Cf. PASSING adv.) Obs. exc. poet.
1598. Marston, Pygmal., 136. Ends not my Poem then surpassing ill?
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, II. ix. 59. A young man … surpassing handsome in all the lineaments of his body.
a. 1808. Foster, in Life & Corr. (1846), I. 266. A large and surpassing ugly town.
1839–52. Bailey, Festus, 381. Surely sin Must be surpassing lovely when for her Men forfeit God’s reward.
