Preternatural
/ˌpriː.təˈnætʃ.ər.əl/noun
Beyond what is normal or natural; extraordinary.
Did you know?In ancient philosophy, the 'preternatural' was often seen as a bridge between the natural world and the divine, invoking both wonder and fear.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*nətr̥
“The root meaning of birth or being born.”
Latin
Latin
praeternaturalis
“Meaning 'beyond nature', derived from 'praeter' (beyond) + 'naturalis' (natural).”
Late Middle Ages
Middle English
preternatural
“Adopted into Middle English, maintaining the meaning of 'exceeding natural limits'.”
16th Century
English
preternatural
“Used in English texts to describe phenomena that were beyond the ordinary experience.”
Modern English
English
preternatural
“Retains its connotation of the extraordinary, often linked with magical or supernatural implications.”