from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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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.
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We must not view creation as supernatural, but
we do look upon it as miraculous. --McCosh.
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{The supernatural}, whatever is above and beyond the scope,
or the established course, of the laws of nature. "Nature
and the supernatural." --H. Bushnell.
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