Superintendent
/ˌsuːpərˈɪntəˌdɛnt/noun
A person who supervises the work or operations of others, especially in an organization or institution.
Did you know?Superintendent comes from Latin roots meaning “to stand over,” and its core ancestor is the same PIE root behind words like temple and contemplate: the ancient idea of looking from above was tied to both sacred observation and command.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ten-
“to stretch, extend; to cause to be directed or held”
Classical Latin
Latin
superintendere
“to look after, oversee, direct”
Late Latin
Latin
superintendentem
“one who oversees or manages”
Middle French
Old French
superintendent
“a person in charge; an overseer”
Late 16th Century
English
superintendent
“a person who has authority over others, especially in administration or management”
Modern English
English
superintendent
“an official or manager who supervises an activity, institution, or group”