Superb, a.
Etymology: [F. superbe, L. superbus, fr. super over. See Super-.]
1. Grand; magnificent; august; stately; as, a superb edifice; a superb colonnade.
2. Rich; elegant; as, superb furniture or decorations.
3. Showy; excellent; grand; as, a superb exhibition. Superb paradise bird (Zoöl.), a bird of paradise (Paradisæa, or Lophorina, superba) having the scapulars erectile, and forming a large ornamental tuft on each shoulder, and a large gorget of brilliant feathers on the breast. The color is deep violet, or nearly black, with brilliant green reflections. The gorget is bright metallic green. -- Superb warber. (Zoöl.) See Blue wren, under Wren. -- Su*perb"ly, adv. -- Su*perb"ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists superb only as an antonym, under pitiful.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.