superlative

The story

1. Latin · derived fromsuperlātus“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”
2. Late Latin · derived fromsuperlātīvus
3. Old French · derived fromsuperlatif
4. Middle English · inherited fromsuperlatyf
5. English todaysuperlative

From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superlātīvus, from Latin superlātus (“carried above, over; extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).