a generic entity type (such as EMPLOYEE) that is subdivided into subtypes

a structured type for which other structured types, called subtypes , have been defined

a type that is a parent of another type

Context A term in ontology. Definition A supertype A of another type B is either:"B" itself (i.e., B is always a supertype of itself), or A type that is higher in the type-hierarchy than B, and there is a path of "subtype-links" downwards from A to B. Example For example, "Mammal" is a supertype of "Elephant", and "Animal is a supertype of "Mammal" (and of "Elephant, since there is a path downwards from Animal to Elephant). This can be illustrated as follows: "Simple lattice of types" Entity The one type which is a supertype of everything else is Entity.

The supertypes of a type are all the interfaces and classes that are extended or implemented by that type. See also subtype, superclass.

The complete set of members of a Category Entity.

An attribute without options, in contrast to the same attribute with one or more options. For example, the commonName ( cn) attribute without an option is the supertype of the same attribute with an option. Conversely, a commonName ( cn) attribute with American English as an option is a subtype of the commonName ( cn) attribute without that option.

In a generalization relationship the generalization of another type, the subtype. Synonym: supertype [OMA]. See: generalization. Contrast: subtype.

The data type whose properties are inherited in an inheritance relationship between named row data types.