PRETERNATURAL
nonnatural, otherworldly, preternatural, transcendental
(adjective) existing outside of or not in accordance with nature; “find transcendental motives for sublunary action”-Aldous Huxley
preternatural, uncanny
(adjective) surpassing the ordinary or normal; “Beyond his preternatural affability there is some acid and some steel” - George Will; “his uncanny sense of direction”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
preternatural (comparative more preternatural, superlative most preternatural)
Beyond or not conforming to what is natural or according to the regular course of things; strange.
Synonyms: inexplicable, exceptional, extraordinary, abnormal, uncanny
(dated) Having an existence outside of the natural world.
Synonyms: paranormal, supernatural, unnatural
Usage notes
• In modern secular use, refers to extraordinary but still natural phenomena, as in “preternatural talent”. In religious and occult usage, used similarly to supernatural, meaning “outside of nature”, but usually to a lower level than supernatural – it can be used synonymously (identical to supernatural), as a hyponym (a kind of supernatural), or a coordinate term (similar to supernatural, but a distinct category). For example, in Catholic theology, preternatural refers to properties of creatures like angels, while supernatural refers to properties of God alone.
Source: Wiktionary
Pre`ter*nat"u*ral, a. Etym: [Pref. preter + natural.]
Definition: Beyond of different from what is natural, or according to the regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in childbirth) or labor. This vile and preternatural temper of mind. South.
Syn.
– See Supernatural.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
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