superintend Meaning, Definition & Usage

Su`per*in*tend" transitive verb

Etymology

L. superintendere. See Super-, and Intend.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Superintended; present participle & verbal noun Superintending

Definitions

1. To have or exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee with the power of direction; to take care of with authority; to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a ship or the construction of a fort.

   The king may appoint a council, who may superintend the works of this nature. Bacon.

   Syn. -- Superintend, Supervise. These words in general use are the synonymous. As sometimes used, supervise implies the more general, and superintend, the more particular and constant, inspection or direction. Among architects there is a disposition to use the word supervise in the sense of a general oversight of the main points of construction with reference to the design, etc., and to employ the word superintend to signify a constant, careful attention to all the details of construction. But this technical distinction is not firmly established.