v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Superintended; p. pr. & vb. n. Superintending. ] [ L. superintendere. See Super-, and Intend. ] To have or exercise the charge and oversight of; to oversee with the power of direction; to take care of with authority; to supervise; as, an officer superintends the building of a ship or the construction of a fort. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king may appoint a council, who may superintend the works of this nature. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Superintend, Supervise. These words in general use are the synonymous. As sometimes used, supervise implies the more general, and superintend, the more particular and constant, inspection or direction. Among architects there is a disposition to use the word supervise in the sense of a general oversight of the main points of construction with reference to the design, etc., and to employ the word superintend to signify a constant, careful attention to all the details of construction. But this technical distinction is not firmly established. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. superintendance. ] The act of superintending; care and oversight for the purpose of direction; supervision. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Inspection; oversight; care; direction; control; guidance. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. -cies The act of superintending; superintendence. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. OF. superintendant, F. surintendant. Cf. Surintendant. ] One who has the oversight and charge of some place, institution, or organization, affairs, etc., with the power of direction; as, the superintendent of an almshouse; the superintendent of public works. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Inspector; overseer; manager; director; curator; supervisor. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. superintendens, p. pr. See Superintend. ] Overseeing; superintending. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A superintendent. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]