supersede

English

Alternative forms

• supercede, superseed (both common misspellings)

Etymology

From Middle French superseder (“postpone, defer”), from Latin supersedēre, from super (“over”) + sedēre (“to sit”). The meaning “to replace” is from 1642, probably by association with unrelated precede – note that c instead of s (from cēdere (“to yield”), not sedēre (“to sit”)). As a result, supercede is a common misspelling – see therein for further discussion. Doublet of surcease.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsuːpəˈsiːd/
• (Canada, General American) IPA^(key): /ˌsupɚˈsiːd/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -iːd

Verb

supersede (third-person singular simple present supersedes, present participle superseding, simple past and past participle superseded)

1. (transitive) To take the place of.

   Those older products have been superseded by our new range.

   • 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, , →OCLC, Canto XXXII, page 51:

     Then one deep love doth supersede
     ⁠All other, when her ardent gaze
     ⁠Roves from the living brother’s face,
     And rests upon the Life indeed.

   • 1960 December, Cecil J. Allen, “Operating a mountain main line: the Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon: Part One”, in Trains Illustrated, page 743:

     In the early days troubles were experienced with oscillation from the rod drive and with the transformers, but were overcome later, and these machines performed useful service until superseded by more modern locomotives less costly in maintenance.

2. (transitive) To displace in favour of itself.

   Modern US culture has superseded the native forms.

Usage notes

Supersede is the only English word ending in -sede. Similar words include three ending in -ceed and several ending in -cede. Supercede is therefore a common misspelling of this word.

Synonyms

• (take the place of): replace, supplant, usurp

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

Noun

supersede (plural supersedes)

1. (Internet) An updated newsgroup post that supersedes an earlier version.

   Rogue cancels and supersedes are being issued on a large scale against posters.

References

Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /suˈper.se.deː/,
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /suˈper.se.de/,

Verb

supersedē

1. second-person singular present active imperative of supersedeō