preternatural
pronunciation
How to pronounce preternatural in British English:
UK [ˌpri:təˈnætʃrəl]
How to pronounce preternatural in American English:
US [ˌpritərˈnætʃrəl]
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- Adjective:
- surpassing the ordinary or normal
- existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
Word Origin
- 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). "Preternatural is used especially to note that which might have been a work of nature, but is not" [Century Dictionary].
Example
- 1. Below his preternatural affability there is some acid and steel .
- 2. Unlike most of his peers , bruce wayne , batman 's billionaire alter-ego , lacks preternatural abilities .
- 3. Anger gave me preternatural strength , and I managed to force the door open .
- 4. His powers of survival seem preternatural .
- 5. Beyond his preternatural affability there is some acid and some steel-george will .