First Known Use: 1580
Dictionary
preternatural
adjective pre·ter·nat·u·ral \ˌprē-tər-ˈna-chə-rəl, -ˈnach-rəl\
: very unusual in a way that does not seem natural
Full Definition of PRETERNATURAL
1
: existing outside of nature
2
: exceeding what is natural or regular : extraordinary <wits trained to preternatural acuteness by the debates — G. L. Dickinson>
3
: inexplicable by ordinary means; especially : psychic <preternatural phenomena>
— pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ly \-ˈna-chə-rə-lē, ˈnach-rə-, ˈna-chər-\ adverb
— pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ness \-ˈna-chə-rəl-nəs, -ˈnach-rəl-\ noun
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Origin of PRETERNATURAL
Medieval Latin praeternaturalis, from Latin praeter naturam beyond nature
Related to PRETERNATURAL
- Synonyms
- aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, exceptional, rare, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted
- Antonyms
- common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual
Other Occult Terms
Rhymes with PRETERNATURAL
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