Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SU-PER-STI'TION, n. [Fr. from L. superstitio, supersto; super and sto, to stand.]

1. Excessive exactness or rigor in religious opinions or practice; extreme and unnecessary scruples in the observance of religious rites not commanded, or of points of minor importance; excess or extravagance in religion; the doing things not required by God, or abstaining from things not forbidden; or the belief of what is absurd, or belief without evidence. – Brown. Superstition has reference to God, to religion, or to being superiors to man. – Encyc.
2. False religion; false worship.
3. Rite or practice proceeding from excess of scruples in religion. In this sense, it admits of a plural. They the truth / With superstitions and traditions taint. – Milton.
4. Excessive nicety; scrupulous exactness.
5. Belief in the direct agency of superior powers in certain extraordinary or singular events, or in omens and prognostics.