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or to justify opinions or conduct; a shift; an evasion. Affect not little shifts and subterfuges, to avoid the force of an argument. I. Watts. By a miserable subterfuge, they hope to render this position safe by rendering it nugatory. Burke.

A group intermediate between a family and a suborder.

Fertilization of two ova, at the same menstruation, by two different acts of coition.

Superabundant fecundity or multiplication of the species.

a prior conception, but before the birth of the offspring. The female . . . is said to superfetate. Grew.

here menstruation persists up to the time of the second impregnation. In then became a superfetation upon, and not an ingredient in, the national character. Coleridge.

To superfetate. [Obs.]

A superficies. [Obs.] Dryden.

Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; lying on the surface; shallow; not deep; as, a superficial color; a superficial covering; superficial measure or contents; superficial tillage.

One who attends to anything superficially; a superficial or shallow person; a sciolist; a smatterer.

The quality or state of being superficial; also, that which is superficial. Sir T. Browne.

To attend to, or to treat, superficially, or in a shallow or slighting way. [R.] It is a characteristic weakness of the day to superficialize evil. E. P. Whipple.

Of or pertaining to the superficies, or surface; superficial.

The surface; the exterior part, superficial area, or face of a thing.

y fine, or most fine; being of surpassing fineness; of extra nice or fine quality; as, superfine cloth.

The state of being superfine.

Extremely finical.

Superfluity. [Obs.] Hammond.

Floating above or on the surface. [Obs.] Sir T. Browne. -- Su`per*flu"i*tance, n. [Obs.]

A greater quantity than is wanted; superabundance; as, a superfluity of water; a superfluity of wealth. A quiet mediocrity is still to be preferred before a troubled superfluity. Suckling.