SUPERPOSITION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does superposition mean? 

• SUPERPOSITION (noun)
  The noun SUPERPOSITION has 4 senses:

1. (geology) the deposition of one geological stratum on another

2. (geology) the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest

3. (geometry) the placement of one object ideally in the position of another one in order to show that the two coincide

4. the placement of one thing on top of another

  Familiarity information: SUPERPOSITION used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUPERPOSITION (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(geology) the deposition of one geological stratum on another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Hypernyms ("superposition" is a kind of...):

deposit; deposition (the natural process of laying down a deposit of something)

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(geology) the principle that in a series of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest stratum is the oldest

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

principle of superposition; superposition; superposition principle

Hypernyms ("superposition" is a kind of...):

principle; rule (a rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system)

Domain category:

geology (a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks)

Sense 3

Meaning:

(geometry) the placement of one object ideally in the position of another one in order to show that the two coincide

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("superposition" is a kind of...):

emplacement; locating; location; placement; position; positioning (the act of putting something in a certain place)

Domain category:

geometry (the pure mathematics of points and lines and curves and surfaces)

Derivation:

superpose (place (one geometric figure) upon another so that their perimeters coincide)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The placement of one thing on top of another

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("superposition" is a kind of...):

emplacement; locating; location; placement; position; positioning (the act of putting something in a certain place)

Derivation:

superpose (place on top of)

superpose (place (one geometric figure) upon another so that their perimeters coincide)

 Context examples 

A quantum computer would be able to solve previously unsolvable computational problems by taking advantage of the strange behaviour of particles at the subatomic scale, and quantum phenomena such as entanglement and superposition.

(Quantum state of single electrons controlled by ‘surfing’ on sound waves, University of Cambridge)