superstitiously
- adverb
- /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəsli/
- Superstitiously, she threw a pinch of superstitiously over her shoulder to ward off evil spirits.
- almost superstitiously
Examples
-
They permitted the images which had survived Protestant iconoclasm to remain in churches so long as they were not superstitiously abused.
-
Some people superstitiously prepare.
Blog text (16) -
Superstitiously, he avoided thinking of it as much as he could.
Fiction book (1999) -
As predicted, the Japanese baseball players were less likely to behave superstitiously than the American baseball players.
Academic text (2008) -
Usually I felt, perhaps superstitiously, that the blind children were off-limits for criticism.
Fiction book (1993) -
Even now, as she walked into the bathroom, Lisa superstitiously began her ritual in a baby-high voice.
Fiction book (1994) -
Somehow, childishly and superstitiously, I hadn't believed the recipe would really work.
Blog text (16) -
He had, when in health, wickedly refused Christ, yet in his death agony he had superstitiously sent for me.
Blog text (33) -
For example, it was famous for its sudden storms whipping down from the Alps; he crossed himself, drew his neck in, and spat superstitiously toward the water.
Fiction book (1992) -
He superstitiously avoided walking under ladders, believing it would bring bad luck.
Antonyms
How Superstitiously
Surface Forms
Morphology
superstitiously = superstitious (transparent) = superstition + ous + ly
Standard adverb formed from the adjective 'superstitious' by adding '-ly', so the meaning is directly derived.
Etymology
Superstitiously comes from the word superstition, which comes from old Latin parts super- 'above' and stare 'to stand', so it once meant a belief that 'stands over' you like a watchful fear. That's why to act superstitiously is to do things because of those old, often fearful beliefs rather than clear reason.