preternatural Hear it!

preternatural Definition

preter·natu·ral (prēt′ər nac̸h′ər əl)

adjective

  1. differing from or beyond what is normally found in or expected from nature; abnormal preternatural strength
  2. supernatural

Etymology: ML praeternaturalis

Related Forms:

preternatural Synonyms

preternatural

modif.

ghostly, irregular, unnatural; see mysterious 2, supernatural.

preternatural Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • being: Unless, as you say, he was a preternatural being.
  • clarity: There were plenty of reef fish, but I saw little in the blue, despite the preternatural clarity of the water.
  • ability: What preternatural ability lets us distinguish religious charlatans from genuine religious people who seek truth and meaning through religion.
  • agency: All supernatural or preternatural agencies are ruled out as a matter of course.
  • combustibility: It is the " preternatural combustibility, " not the supposed spontaneity, that is the odd feature.
  • phenomenon: In 1870 Crookes began to study the preternatural phenomena associated with Spiritualism, conducting his experiments on strict scientific grounds.

Modifying Another Word

  • almost: Chas started buying real estate in his early teens and seemed to have an almost preternatural understanding of international finance.