'superstitious' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'superstitiosus' (from 'superstitio'), where 'super-' meant 'above, beyond' and the root related to 'stare' meant 'to stand' (implying 'standing over' or 'surviving').

'superstitious' came into English via Middle French and Middle English from Latin 'superstitio' > Old French 'supersticion' > Middle English 'supersticioun', eventually becoming modern English 'superstition' and the adjective 'superstitious'.

Initially, Latin 'superstitio' suggested 'a standing over' or 'survival' (and later 'religious observance left over'), but over time it evolved to mean 'irrational or excessive belief in supernatural influences,' which is the modern sense reflected in 'superstitious' and 'superstitiously'.