the adverb 'superiorly' is built directly upon the adjective 'superior', which entered english from latin. the latin 'superior' is the comparative form of 'superus' (situated above), itself derived from the preposition and root 'super' (over, above). this root can be traced back to the proto-indo-european uper, also meaning 'over'. the suffix '-ly' is a native english grammatical element used to convert adjectives into adverbs of manner. thus, the word's literal construction is "in a manner that is above or higher," which evolved to describe both positional/qualitative superiority and a corresponding attitude of condescension.

Structure: superior (higher) + ly (adverb suffix) superior (from latin 'superior', comparative of 'superus' meaning 'that is above', from 'super' meaning 'over, above'); ly (from old english '-līce', an adverbial suffix forming manner adverbs from adjectives).