The supernatural

The supernatural
Supernatural Su`per*nat"u*ral, a. [Pref. super- + natural: cf. OF. supernaturel, F. surnaturel.] Being beyond, or exceeding, the power or laws of nature; miraculous. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Preternatural.

Usage: {Supernatural}, {Preternatural}. Preternatural signifies beside nature, and supernatural, above or beyond nature. What is very greatly aside from the ordinary course of things is preternatural; what is above or beyond the established laws of the universe is supernatural. The dark day which terrified all Europe nearly a century ago was preternatural; the resurrection of the dead is supernatural. ``That form which the earth is under at present is preternatural, like a statue made and broken again.'' --T. Burnet. ``Cures wrought by medicines are natural operations; but the miraculous ones wrought by Christ and his apostles were supernatural.'' --Boyle. [1913 Webster]

That is supernatural, whether it be, that is either not in the chain of natural cause and effect, or which acts on the chain of cause and effect in nature, from without the chain. --Bushnell. [1913 Webster]

We must not view creation as supernatural, but we do look upon it as miraculous. --McCosh. [1913 Webster]

{The supernatural}, whatever is above and beyond the scope, or the established course, of the laws of nature. ``Nature and the supernatural.'' --H. Bushnell. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • the supernatural — UK [ˌsuːpə(r)ˈnætʃərəl] US [ˌsupərˈnætʃ(ə)rəl] noun supernatural events, forces, or creatures Thesaurus: magic or supernaturalhyponym * * * the supernatural : things that cannot be explained by science and seem to involve ghosts …   Useful english dictionary

  • The Supernatural — For the song The Supernatural by John Mayall the Bluesbreakers, see A Hard Road The Supernatural , by Erwin Neutzsky Wulff, is a book on the supernatural phenomena surrounding us. He presents scientifically structured arguments for the presence… …   Wikipedia

  • The Supernatural Occurrences of John Wesley — is a non fiction book written by American author Daniel R. Jennings and published in 2005 by Sean Multimedia. Relying heavily upon actual quotations from the writings of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist Church, Jennings presents various… …   Wikipedia

  • the supernatural — supernatural manifestations or events. → supernatural …   English new terms dictionary

  • The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural — Infobox Book name = The Penguin Encyclopedia of Horror and the Supernatural title orig = translator = image caption = author = Jack Sullivan (editor) country = United States language = English subject = Literature; Horror fiction genre =… …   Wikipedia

  • the supernatural — UK [ˌsuːpə(r)ˈnætʃərəl] / US [ˌsupərˈnætʃ(ə)rəl] noun supernatural events, forces, or creatures …   English dictionary

  • Beyond the Supernatural — Infobox RPG title=Beyond the Supernatural caption= Beyond the Supernatural 2nd edition cover designer= Kevin Siembieda, Randy McCall publisher=Palladium Books dates= 1st Edition: September 1987, 2nd Edition: January 2005 genre=Horror system=… …   Wikipedia

  • In Search of the Supernatural — (搜神記, Sou shên chi or Sou shen ji ) is a 4th century Chinese compilation of legends, short stories and hearsay concerning spirits, ghosts and other supernatural phenomena. Although the authorship of the book is not made explicit in the text, it… …   Wikipedia

  • Supernatural (season 3) — Supernatural Season 3 DVD cover art Country of origin United States …   Wikipedia

  • Supernatural (season 2) — Supernatural Season 2 DVD cover art Country of origi …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”