Dictionary entry

Supercilious

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Su′per‐cil″i‐ous (?), a. [L. superciliosus, fr. supercilium an eyebrow, pride; super over, + cilium an eyelid; probably akin to celare to conceal. Cf. Conceal.] Lofty with pride; haughty; dictatorial; overbearing; arrogant; as, a supercilious officer; asupercilious air; supercilious behavior. — Su′per‐cil″i‐ous‐ly, adv. — Su′per‐cil″i‐ous‐ness, n.