superposition

[ soo-per-puh-zish-uh n ]
/ ˌsu pər pəˈzɪʃ ən /

noun Geology.

the order in which sedimentary strata are superposed one above another.

Origin of superposition

1790–1800; < French superposition; see super-, position

Example sentences from the Web for superposition

British Dictionary definitions for superposition

superposition
/ (ˌsuːpəpəˈzɪʃən) /

noun

the act of superposing or state of being superposed
geology the principle that in any sequence of sedimentary rocks which has not been disturbed, the oldest strata lie at the bottom and the youngest at the top

Scientific definitions for superposition

superposition
[ sōō′pər-pə-zĭshən ]

The principle that in a group of stratified sedimentary rocks the lowest were the earliest to be deposited.
The principle by which the description of the state of a physical system can be broken down into descriptions that are themselves possible states of the system. For example, harmonic motion, as of a violin string, can be analyzed as the sum of harmonic frequencies or harmonics, each of which is itself a kind of harmonic motion; harmonic motion is therefore a superposition of individual harmonics.
The combination of two or more physical states, such as waves, to form a new physical state in accordance with this principle. See also wave. See Note at Schrödinger.