Superset

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A collection that fully encompasses another collection within its elements A mathematical term denoting a grouping that contains all items of a given subset along with more elements An extended class that includes every member of a specified smaller set and additional items as well
2. A set that includes every element of another set plus possibly more elements
3. A larger set that fully contains all members of a smaller set within it

Etymology: "Superset" is about as transparent as English compounds get: it is "super-" joined to "set," and the two parts keep their everyday senses. "Super-" comes from Latin "super," meaning "above" or "over," and it reaches English through the Latin prefix in its own right, while "set" descends from Middle English "set," a collection of things grouped together. Put them side by side and a superset is a collection that sits above another collection, containing all of its members and possibly more. The Latin "super" is an ancient word with a long family. It shares its roots with the English "over" and "up," a link that shows how a basic idea of height or position became a prefix used to build new vocabulary. English speakers have been adding "super-" to words for centuries, which is why the same prefix turns up in words like "superimpose" and "supervise," each keeping the sense of "above" or "beyond."

Synonyms: larger set, inclusive set, overarching set, general set, collection

Antonyms: subset, smaller set, part, element, segment