superstition

super-,在上，上方，-stit,站，站立，词源同 stand,institute.字面意思即站在上面，用于指俯视 众生的神，引申词义迷信，迷信观念。比较汉语“举头三尺有神明”。

superstition

superstition: [15] Etymologically, superstition denotes ‘standing over’ something. It comes via Old French superstition from Latin superstitiō, a derivative of superstāre ‘stand over’. This was a compound verb formed from the prefix super- ‘above’ and stāre ‘stand’ (a relative of English stand). The sense ‘irrational fear’, which evolved in Latin, may have been based on the notion of someone ‘standing over’ something in awe or fear.
=> stand, station, statue

superstition (n.)

early 13c., "false religious belief; irrational faith in supernatural powers," from Latin superstitionem (nominative superstitio) "prophecy, soothsaying; dread of the supernatural, excessive fear of the gods, religious belief based on fear or ignorance and considered incompatible with truth or reason," literally "a standing over," noun of action from past participle stem of superstare "stand on or over; survive," from super "above" (see super-) + stare "to stand," from PIE root *sta- "to stand" (see stet). There are many theories to explain the Latin sense development, but none has yet been generally accepted. Originally in English especially of religion; sense of "unreasonable notion" is from 1794.

1. It's all rubbish and superstition, and there's nothing in it.

这都是废话和迷信,不是真的.

2. The phantom of the merry-go-round is just a local superstition.

旋转木马的幽灵只不过是当地的迷信说法。

3. Fortune-telling is a very much debased art surrounded by superstition.

算命是一种非常低级的把戏，充满了迷信色彩。

4. According to superstition, breaking a mirror brings bad luck.

按照迷信的说法，摔碎镜子会带来噩运。

5. It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.

认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信.