Hypertext Webster Gateway: "preternatural"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Preternatural \Pre`ter*nat"u*ral\ (?; 135), a. [Pref. preter +
natural.]
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}.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
preternatural
adj 1: surpassing the ordinary or normal; "Beyond his preternatural
affability there is some acid and some steel"- George
Will
2: existing outside of or not in accordance with nature; "find
transcendental motives for sublunary action"-Aldous Huxley
[syn: {nonnatural}, {otherworldly}, {transcendental}]
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