3 ms·
Ultra and hyper mean basically the same So does super, which is the direct Latin cognate of hyper. So ultra > super > hyper? I would suggest the opposite, as
by tremon 3y ago
Ultra and hyper mean basically the same
So does super, which is the direct Latin cognate of hyper. So ultra > super > hyper?
I would suggest the opposite, as in modern usage, the Greek words "feel" larger than the Latin ones, perhaps because they look less familiar.
- stonemetal12 3y agoBetween superman and supersonic planes, super feels common and slightly old fashioned. To me "super" feels the least superior of the three.
- twic 3y agoWe've already established that hypersonic > supersonic. I think a hypermarket is bigger than a supermarket. In protein structure, a hyperfamily is bigger than a superfamily. I've never heard of an ultrasonic aeroplane, an ultramarket, or an ultrafamily. So those must be bigger yet?
- nine_k 3y agoThey seem to refer to different domains. Supersonic is about the speed of sound, and ultrasonic is about the frequency. Superior is about being higher / better, and ulterior is about being a next step :)