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superstition

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
su·per·sti·tion  (spr-stshn)
n.
1. An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
2.
a. A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.
b. A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
c. Idolatry.

[Middle English supersticion, from Old French superstition, from Latin superstiti, superstitin-, from superstes, superstit-, standing over; see st- in Indo-European roots.]

superstition
Noun
1. irrational belief in magic and the powers that supposedly bring good luck or bad luck
2. a belief or practice based on this [Latin superstitio]
superstitious adj
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.superstitionsuperstition - an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
belief - any cognitive content held as true
Translations
Spanish superstition [suːpəˈstɪʃən] nsuperstición f
French superstition [suːpəˈstɪʃən] nsuperstition f
German superstition [suːpəˈstɪʃən] nAberglaube m
Italian superstition [suːpəˈstɪʃən] nsuperstizione f

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Partly from its peculiar colour, partly from a superstition which represented it as feeling the influence of the deity whom it adorned, and growing and lessening in lustre with the waxing and waning of the moon, it first gained the name by which it continues to be known in India to this day--the name of THE MOONSTONE.
Uncommonly conscientious for a seaman, and endued with a deep natural reverence, the wild watery loneliness of his life did therefore strongly incline him to superstition; but to that sort of superstition, which in some organizations seems rather to spring, somehow, from intelligence than from ignorance.
Perfect calms at sea are always suspected by the experienced mariner to be the forerunners of a storm, and I know some persons, who, without being generally the devotees of superstition, are apt to apprehend that great and unusual peace or tranquillity will be attended with its opposite.
 
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