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Definition of preternatural - 3 dictionary results

pre⋅ter⋅nat⋅u⋅ral

  [pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl]
Use preternatural in a Sentence
–adjective
1. out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal: preternatural powers.
2. outside of nature; supernatural.
Origin:
1570–80; < ML praeternātūrālis, adj. based on L phrase praeter nātūram beyond nature. See preter-, natural

Related forms:
pre⋅ter⋅nat⋅u⋅ral⋅ism, pre⋅ter⋅nat⋅u⋅ral⋅i⋅ty  [pree-ter-nach-uh-ral-i-tee] , pre⋅ter⋅nat⋅u⋅ral⋅ness, noun
pre⋅ter⋅nat⋅u⋅ral⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. unusual, extraordinary, unnatural. See miraculous.

Antonyms:
1. ordinary, usual.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pre·ter·nat·u·ral   (prē'tər-nāch'ər-əl, -nāch'rəl)   
adj.  

  1. Out of or being beyond the normal course of nature; differing from the natural.

  2. Surpassing the normal or usual; extraordinary: "Below his preternatural affability there is some acid and steel" (George F. Will).

  3. Transcending the natural or material order; supernatural.


[Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, from Latin praeter nātūrām, beyond nature : praeter, beyond; see preterit + nātūra, nature; see nature.]
pre'ter·nat'u·ral·ism n., pre'ter·nat'u·ral·ly adv., pre'ter·nat'u·ral·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

preternatural 
1580, from M.L. preternaturalis (c.1255), from L. phrase præter naturam (præterque fatum) "beyond nature (and beyond fate)," from præter "beyond" (see preterite) + acc. of natura "nature" (see natural).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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