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

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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

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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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