Word Study
superman
CIDE DICTIONARY
superman, n.
- same as Overman, above. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
- a fictional character of cartoons, movies and television, with superhuman powers such as great strength, the ability to fly, and x-ray vision. In the cartoon tale, he was born on the planet Krypton and sent by his parents into space before it exploded, and landed on earth, where he fights for "truth, justice, and the American way". He works incognito as a reporter at the Daily Planet, and is constantly trying to avoid the uncovering of his secret identity by a co-worker, Lois Lane. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
superman, n. (pl. -men)
1 esp. Philos. the ideal superior man of the future.
2 colloq. a man of exceptional strength or ability.
1 esp. Philos. the ideal superior man of the future.
2 colloq. a man of exceptional strength or ability.
Etymology
SUPER- + MAN, formed by G. B. Shaw after Nietzsche's G {Uuml}bermensch
THESAURUS
superman
Antaeus, Atlas, Briareus, Brobdingnagian, Charles Atlas, Cyclops, Goliath, Hercules, Polyphemus, Samson, Tarzan, Titan, bully, bullyboy, colossus, giant, gorilla, muscle man, powerhouse, stalwart, strong man, strong-arm man, the mighty, the strong, tough, tough guy, tower of strengthROGET THESAURUS
superman
Strength
N strength, power, energy, vigor, force, main force, physical force, brute force, spring, elasticity, tone, tension, tonicity, stoutness, lustihood, stamina, nerve, muscle, sinew, thews and sinews, physique, pith, pithiness, virtility, vitality, athletics, athleticism, gymnastics, feats of strength, adamant, steel, iron, oak, heart of oak, iron grip, grit, bone, athlete, gymnast, acrobat, superman, Atlas, Hercules, Antaeus, Samson, Cyclops, Goliath, tower of strength, giant refreshed, strengthening, invigoration, refreshment, refocillation, dynamics, statics, strong, mighty, vigorous, forcible, hard, adamantine, stout, robust, sturdy, hardy, powerful, potent, puissant, valid, resistless, irresistible, invincible, proof against, impregnable, unconquerable, indomitable, dominating, inextinguishable, unquenchable, incontestable, more than a match for, overpowering, overwhelming, all powerful, all sufficient, sovereign, able-bodied, athletic, Herculean, Cyclopean, Atlantean, muscular, brawny, wiry, well-knit, broad-shouldered, sinewy, strapping, stalwart, gigantic, manly, man-like, manful, masculine, male, virile, unweakened, unallayed, unwithered, unshaken, unworn, unexhausted, in full force, in full swing, in the plenitude of power, stubborn, thick-ribbed, made of iron, deep-rooted, strong as a lion, strong as a horse, strong as an ox, strong as brandy, sound as a roach, in fine feather, in high feather, built like a brick shithouse, like a giant refreshed, strongly, by force, by main force, our withers are unwrung, Blut und Eisen, coelitus mihi vires, du fort au diable, en habiles gens, ex vi termini, flecti non frangi, he that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves an, inflexible in faith invincible in arms.For further exploring for "superman" in Webster Dictionary Online