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What is the difference between inferior and superior?

inferior | superior | Antonyms |

Superior is a antonym of inferior.



In typography terms the difference between inferior and superior

is that inferior is printed in subscript while superior is printed in superscript.

In botany terms the difference between inferior and superior

is that inferior is on the side of a flower which is next to the bract; anterior while superior is pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending; said of the radicle.

As adjectives the difference between inferior and superior

is that inferior is of lower quality while superior is higher in quality.

As nouns the difference between inferior and superior

is that inferior is a person of lower stature to another while superior is a person of higher rank or quality.

inferior

English

Alternative forms

* inferiour (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • of lower quality
  • Anna had always felt inferior to her brother due to poor school grades.
  • * Dryden
  • Whether they are equal or inferior to my other poems, an author is the most improper judge.
  • of lower rank
  • an inferior officer
  • located below
  • # (typography) Printed in subscript.
  • an inferior figure or letter
  • (botany) Situated below some other organ; said of a calyx when free from the ovary, and therefore below it, or of an ovary with an adherent and therefore inferior calyx.
  • (botany) On the side of a flower which is next to the bract; anterior.
  • (astronomy) Nearer to the Sun than the Earth is.
  • the inferior''' or interior planets; an '''inferior conjunction of Mercury or Venus
  • (astronomy) Below the horizon.
  • the inferior part of a meridian

    Usage notes

    (term) and (superior) are generally followed by (to); (than) is seen sometimes, but is viewed as wrong.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Antonyms

    * superior

    Coordinate terms

    *

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • a person of lower stature to another
  • As you are my inferior , I can tell you to do anything I want.

    Antonyms

    * superior

    Anagrams

    * ----

    superior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * superiour (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Higher in quality.
  • Higher in rank.
  • * , chapter=12
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, […], and all these articles […] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.}}
  • More comprehensive, as a term in classification.
  • A genus is superior to a species.
  • Located above.
  • the superior''' jaw; the '''superior part of an image
  • # (botany) Above the ovary; said of parts of the flower which, although normally below the ovary, adhere to it, and so appear to originate from its upper part; also of an ovary when the other floral organs are plainly below it in position, and free from it.
  • # (botany) Belonging to the part of an axillary flower which is toward the main stem; posterior.
  • # (botany) Pointing toward the apex of the fruit; ascending; said of the radicle.
  • # (typography) Printed in superscript.
  • a superior figure or letter
  • Greater or better than average; extraordinary.
  • Beyond the power or influence of; too great or firm to be subdued or affected by; with to .
  • * Spectator
  • There is not in earth a spectacle more worthy than a great man superior to his sufferings.

    Usage notes

    * Superior and inferior are generally followed by to; than is sometimes used mistakenly.

    Antonyms

    * (l)

    Coordinate terms

    *

    Derived terms

    * superiorness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A person of higher rank or quality.
  • The senior person in a monastic community.