A prefix meaning 'over' or 'above,' often used in compound words. In some contexts, used as a standalone preposition meaning 'on' or 'upon.'
From Old French 'sur' and Latin 'super,' both meaning 'over, above, beyond.' The prefix has been productive in English since Middle English, creating words like 'surface,' 'surpass,' and 'surname.'
This little prefix is incredibly hardworking in English, hiding in plain sight in dozens of common words! From 'surprise' (originally meaning to 'take over' suddenly) to 'survive' (to live over/beyond), it's been building words for centuries.
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