Plain English Meaning
The instructor stays responsible for what the student does in the airplane. Even when the student flies alone, the instructor decides whether the student is ready, sets limits on what they can do, and keeps watch over their training.
Full Definition
The flight instructor's ongoing responsibility to oversee a student pilot's flying activities -- including solo flights -- by directing, monitoring, and guiding the student's training, decisions, and conduct to ensure safety and proper progress.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor responsibilities, especially when discussing student solo flights, training limits, and instructor approvals.
Derivation
From Latin 'super-' (over) and 'videre' (to see) -- literally 'to oversee.' In aviation, the instructor 'sees over' the student's flying, even when not physically present in the cockpit.
Why Pilots Care
It maintains training safety and fulfills regulatory requirements for instructor oversight of student operations.