supernatural
/ˌs(j)uː.pəˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/
supernatural means above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that with which humans are born. It carries an Arena rating of 1618, earned across 11 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, supernatural ranks #393 of 17,135 for Most Malleable Words, #927 of 17,124 for Most Sublime Words, #2,586 of 42,762 for Qualifying, #4,748 of 17,128 for Most Ponderous Words.
supernatural is pronounced /ˌs(j)uː.pəˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/.
Why “supernatural” is a great word
Relating to phenomena or beings that are beyond the laws of nature and are often attributed to a divine or otherworldly force. From Middle English, via Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supernaturalis, from super ("above") + natura ("nature, that which one is born with") + -alis (adjective-forming suffix), first attested in the early 15th century. Unlike "paranormal" (which implies anomalies awaiting possible explanation) or "preternatural" (which describes a rare but still natural exceptionalism), supernatural denotes a fundamental and permanent transcendence. It is the chill breath on your neck in an empty room, the answered prayer that defies all probability, the shadow that moves against the light—an absolute rupture in the fabric of the expected, pointing stubbornly to a world behind the world.
Etymology
From Middle English supernatural, supernaturel, from Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supernātūrālis, from super (“above”) + nātūra (“nature; that which we are born with”), from nātus (“born”), perfect passive participle of nāscī (“to be born”) + adjective suffix -ālis. By surface analysis, super- + natural.
adj
- Above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that with which humans are born.e.g.“Near-synonym: paranatural”
- Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully, if at all.e.g.“Near-synonym: paranatural”
noun
- A supernatural being
- Supernatural beings and events collectively (when used with definite article: "the supernatural")
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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