different between superlative vs consummate

English

Etymology

From Middle English superlatyf, from Old French superlatif, from Late Latin superl?t?vus, from Latin superl?tus (“extravagant, of hyperbole”), past participle of superfero (“carry over”), from super (“above”) + fero (“bear, carry”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /su??p??.l?.t?v/, /sju??p??.l?.t?v/
• (US) IPA^(key): /su?p??.l?.t?v/

Noun

superlative (plural superlatives)

1. The extreme (e.g. highest, lowest, deepest, farthest, deepest, etc) extent or degree of something.

   Synonyms: acme, apex, height, zenith
2. (grammar) The form of an adjective that expresses which of several items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.

3. (informal) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.
   • 2019, Daniel Taylor, Lionel Messi magic puts Barcelona in command of semi-final with Liverpool (in The Guardian, 1 May 2019)[1]

     Sometimes it feels like there are no more superlatives left. Seriously, what else can be said about this little guy with the No 10 shirt and magic in his feet other than to ask, perhaps, whether there is anyone who wants to persist with the argument that Pelé, or Diego Maradona, or any of the others, have ever played this sport any better?

Synonyms

• (highest degree): acme, peak

Hyponyms

• absolute superlative
• relative superlative

Related terms

• superlative degree

Translations

Adjective

superlative (not comparable)

1. Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
2. (grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

Usage notes

Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.

Synonyms

• (exceptionally good): above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb

Translations

See also

• absolute
• comparative
• elative

French

Adjective

superlative

1. feminine singular of superlatif

Italian

Adjective

superlative

1. feminine plural of superlativo

Latin

Adjective

superl?t?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of superl?t?vus

English

Etymology

From Latin c?nsumm?tus, past participle of c?nsumm?re (“to sum up, finish, complete”), from com- (“together”) + summa (“the sum”) (see sum, summation).

Pronunciation

Adjective

• (UK) enPR: k?n's?m?t, k?n'syo?om?t, k?ns?m'?t, IPA^(key): /?k?ns?m?t/, /?k?nsj?m?t/, /k?n?s?m?t/
• (US) enPR: k?n's?m?t, k?ns?m'?t, IPA^(key): /?k?ns?m?t/, /k?n?s?m?t/

Verb

• (UK) enPR: k?n's?m?t, k?n'syo?om?t, IPA^(key): /?k?ns?me?t/, /?k?nsj?me?t/
• (US) enPR: k?n's?m?t, IPA^(key): /?k?ns?me?t/

Adjective

consummate (comparative more consummate, superlative most consummate)

1. Complete in every detail, perfect, absolute.

   Synonyms: absolute, complete, perfect, sheer, total, utter; see also Thesaurus:total

   • 1859, George Meredith, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Chapter 5:

     A sweeping and consummate vengeance for the indignity alone should satisfy him.

   • 1880, Georges Bernard Shaw, The Irrational Knot, Chapter VII,

     […] Marmaduke, who had the consummate impudence to reply that […]

   • 1900, Guy Wetmore Carryl, "The Singular Sangfroid of Baby Bunting",

     Belinda Bellonia Bunting//Behaved like a consummate loon

2. Highly skilled and experienced; fully qualified.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:skilled

   • 1910, Lionel Giles (translator), The Art of War, Section IV (originally by Sun Tzu)

     The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, […]  ; thus it is in his power to control success.

Derived terms

• consummately

Translations

Verb

consummate (third-person singular simple present consummates, present participle consummating, simple past and past participle consummated)

1. (transitive) To bring (a task, project, goal etc.) to completion; to accomplish.

   Synonyms: complete, finish, round off; see also Thesaurus:end
2. (transitive) To make perfect, achieve, give the finishing touch.

   Synonyms: complete, perfect, top off

3. (transitive) To make (a marriage) complete by engaging in first sexual intercourse.
4. (intransitive) To become perfected, receive the finishing touch.

   Synonyms: come to a head, mature, ripe

Derived terms

• consummation
• consummative
• consummator
• consummatory

Related terms

• consume

Translations

Further reading

• consummate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• consummate in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Latin

Verb

c?nsumm?te

1. second-person plural present active imperative of c?nsumm?