Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Superintend?

\Su`per*in*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Superintended}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Superintending}.] [L. superintendere. See {Super-}, and {Intend}.] 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}. Usage: 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.