An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Upper or situated higher up in rank, degree, etc.

Etymology (EN): M.E., from O.Fr., from L. superiorem (nominative superior) “higher,” comparative of superus “situated above, upper,” from super “above, over,” → super-.

Etymology (PE): Zabar, from Mid.Pers. azabar “above,” related to abar (Mod.Pers. bar- “on, upon, up”); O.Pers. upariy “above; over, upon, according to;” Av. upairi “above, over,” upairi.zəma- “located above the earth;” cf. Gk. hyper- “over, above;” L. super-, as above; O.H.G. ubir “over” + -in comparative suffix.