superstructure

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su·per·struc·ture / ˈsoōpərˌstrəkchər/ • n. a structure built on top of something else. ∎  the parts of a ship, other than masts and rigging, built above its hull and main deck. ∎  the part of a building above its foundations. ∎  a concept or idea based on others. ∎  (in Marxist theory) the institutions and culture considered to result from or reflect the economic system underlying a society.DERIVATIVES: su·per·struc·tur·al / ˌsoōpərˈstrəkchərəl/ adj.

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