Etymology
From Middle English supernatural, supernaturel, from Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supernﾄ》ﾅｫrﾄ〕is, from super (above) + nﾄ》ﾅｫra (nature, that which we are born with), from nﾄ》us (born), perfect passive participle of nﾄ《cﾄｫ (to be born) + adjective suffix -ﾄ〕is. By surface analysis, super- + natural.
Adjective
supernatural (comparative more supernatural, superlative most supernatural)
- Above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with.
- In Catholic theology, sanctifying grace is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature.
- Stephen King's first novel is about a girl named Carrie dealing with supernatural powers.
- Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully if at all.
- The house is haunted by supernatural forces.
Derived terms
- supernatural selection
Noun
supernatural (plural supernaturals)
- (countable) A supernatural being
- (uncountable) Supernatural beings and events collectively (when used with definite article: "the supernatural.")
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here:
