word-forming element of Latin origin meaning "above, higher than, over; beyond; before," from Latin supra (adv./prep.) "above, over, before, beyond, on the upper side," originally supera, in supera (parte), literally "on the upper (side)." This is from old fem. ablative singular of superus (adj.) "above," which is related to super "above, over" (from PIE root *uper "over").

Rare as a prefix in Latin, it was more common in Medieval Latin; in English it is chiefly scientific or technical.

It also has been interchangeable with, but somewhat more technical than, super-. Formerly many words had both forms though sometimes the senses were distinct: supranatural is from 1787 in reference to divinity (supernatural went to the ghosts); suprahuman is attested from 1740.

Latin supra (adv./prep.) "above" is used as a shorthand directional in English texts, "(see) above," often abbreviated as sup.