preternatural

[pree-ter-nach-er-uhl, -nach-ruhl]

adjective

out of the ordinary course of nature; exceptional or abnormal: preternatural powers.
outside of nature; supernatural.

Origin of preternatural

1570–80; < Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, adj. based on Latin phrase praeter nātūram beyond nature. See preter-, natural

Related formspre·ter·nat·u·ral·ism, pre·ter·nat·u·ral·i·ty

[pree-ter-nach-uh-ral-i-tee] /ˌpri tərˌnætʃ əˈræl ɪ ti/, pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ness, nounpre·ter·nat·u·ral·ly, adverbun·pre·ter·nat·u·ral, adjectiveun·pre·ter·nat·u·ral·ly, adverb

Synonyms for preternatural

1. unusual, extraordinary, unnatural. See miraculous.

Antonyms for preternatural

1. ordinary, usual.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for preternaturally

Contemporary Examples of preternaturally

Unlike the Hollywood version of genius, which is preternaturally cerebral, Hitchens was preternaturally visceral.
Remembering the Real Genius of Christopher Hitchens, Not the Caricature
Lee Siegel
December 18, 2011
For the record, her long, golden locks are as preternaturally perfect as ever.
A Socialite's Revenge
Jacob Bernstein
March 9, 2010

Historical Examples of preternaturally

Natt's drowsy eyes were preternaturally bright at that great moment.
A Son of Hagar
Sir Hall Caine
She was very pale, and her eyes were dilating and preternaturally bright.
The Historical Nights' Entertainment
Rafael Sabatini
But when he stirred, her eyes were wide and preternaturally bright, and held him.
The Dop Doctor
Clotilde Inez Mary Graves
She was small and slight for her twelve years, and preternaturally grave.
The White Rose of Langley
Emily Sarah Holt
How preternaturally still every thing seemed—what an intensity of silence!
The Island Home
Richard Archer

British Dictionary definitions for preternaturally

preternatural

adjective

beyond what is ordinarily found in nature; abnormal
another word for supernatural

Derived Formspreternaturally, adverbpreternaturalism, nounpreternaturalness or preternaturality, noun

Word Origin for preternatural

C16: from Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, from Latin praeter natūram beyond the scope of nature

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for preternaturally

preternatural

adj.

1570s, from Medieval Latin preternaturalis (mid-13c.), from Latin phrase praeter naturam (praeterque fatum) "beyond nature (and beyond fate)," from praeter "beyond" (see preterite) + accusative of natura "nature" (see natural).