Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary

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Main Entry: su·per·fi·cial
Pronunciation: "sü-p&r-'fi-sh&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin superficialis, from Latin superficies
Date: 15th century
1 a (1) : of, relating to, or located near a surface (2) : lying on, not penetrating below, or affecting only the surface <superficial wounds> b British, of a unit of measure : SQUARE <superficial foot>
2 a : concerned only with the obvious or apparent : SHALLOW b : seen on the surface : EXTERNAL c : presenting only an appearance without substance or significance
- su·per·fi·cial·ly /-'fi-sh(&-)lE/ adverb
synonyms SUPERFICIAL, SHALLOW, CURSORY mean lacking in depth or solidity. SUPERFICIAL implies a concern only with surface aspects or obvious features <a superficial analysis of the problem>. SHALLOW is more generally derogatory in implying lack of depth in knowledge, reasoning, emotions, or character <a light, shallow, and frivolous review>. CURSORY suggests a lack of thoroughness or a neglect of details <gave the letter only a cursory reading>.

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\&\ as a and u in abut \^&\ as e in kitten \&r\ as ur and er in further \a\ as a in ash \A\ as a in ace \ä\ as o in mop \au\ as ou in out	\ch\ as ch in chin \e\ as e in bet \E\ as ea in easy \g\ as g in go \i\ as i in hit \I\ as i in ice \j\ as j in job \[ng]\ as ng in sing \O\ as o in go	\o\ as aw in law \oi\ as oy in boy \th\ as th in thin \th\ as th in the \ü\ as oo in loot \u\ as oo in foot \y\ as y in yet \zh\ as si in vision

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