the word 'superstructure' is a modern english compound formed from the latin-derived prefix 'super-' and the noun 'structure'. the prefix 'super-', from latin 'super' meaning 'above, over', has been a productive element in english since the middle english period, often used to indicate position or degree. the noun 'structure' entered english in the late 15th century from latin 'structura', which itself derives from the verb 'struere' meaning 'to pile, build'. the literal sense of 'a building built on top of another' is attested from the mid-17th century. the marxist sociological sense, where societal institutions are metaphorically conceived as being built upon the economic base, was developed by karl marx in the 19th century, illustrating how abstract meanings evolve from concrete architectural terms.

Structure: super (above) + structure (building) 'super' is from latin, meaning 'above, over'. 'structure' is from latin 'structura', meaning 'a building, arrangement'. in this compound, 'super' functions as a prefix modifying the location of the 'structure'.