superstition
su.per.sti.tion \.su:-p*r-'stish-*n\ n [ME supersticion, fr. MF, fr. L superstition-, superstitio, f]r. superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), fr. super- + stare to stand - more at STAND 1: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or t rust in magic or chance 2: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, o r God resulting from superstitious beliefs or fears