Definition of Preternatural

1. Adjective. Surpassing the ordinary or normal. "His uncanny sense of direction"

Exact synonyms: Uncanny
Similar to: Extraordinary

2. Adjective. Existing outside of or not in accordance with nature. "Find transcendental motives for sublunary action"
Exact synonyms: Nonnatural, Otherworldly, Transcendental
Similar to: Supernatural
Derivative terms: Otherworldliness

Definition of Preternatural

1. a. Beyond of different from what is natural, or according to the regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in childbirth) or labor.

Definition of Preternatural

1. Adjective. Beyond or different from what is natural or according to the regular course of things; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; abnormal. ¹

2. Adjective. (dated) Having an existence outside of the natural world. In this sense, everything supernatural is also preternatural. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Preternatural

1. [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Preternatural

pretermination
preterminations
pretermission
pretermissions
pretermit
pretermits
pretermitted
pretermitted child
pretermitted children
pretermitted heir
pretermitted heirs
pretermitted spouse
pretermitted spouses
pretermitting
preterms
preternatural
preternaturalism
preternaturality
preternaturally
preternaturalness
preternature
preterperfect
preterperfects
preterpluperfect
preterpluperfects
preterrestrial
pretertiary
pretest
pretested
pretesting

Literary usage of Preternatural

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Compendious system of midwifery: Chiefly Designed to Facilitate the by William Dewees (1853)
"In the accidental preternatural labour, (651, et seq. ... As preternatural presentations, strictly so called, have nothing in them before labour to declare ..."

2. Obstetrics, the science and the art by Charles Delucena Meigs (1867)
"OF Preternatural LABOR. 677. ANY labor that cannot be brought to a safe conclusion bv the natural powers of the system might properly be denominated :t ..."

3. The pourtract of old age by John Smith (1752)
"Preternatural fleep, and preternatural watching, are altogether incon- ... namely, preternatural fleep, and natural watching, they may both of them without ..."

4. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1849)
"Clinical Midwifery ; comprising the Histories of five hundred and forty- fat case» of difficult, preternatural and complicated Labour. With Commentaries. ..."

5. The Principles and practice of obstetrics by Gunning S. Bedford (1869)
"GENTLEMEN—We shall now discuss the interesting subject of preternatural labor, ... Preternatural labor, we have already remarked, may be either manual or ..."

6. Atlas and Epitome of Operative Surgery by Otto Zuckerkandl (1902)
"Intestinal Gastric Fistula and Preternatural Anus. Gastrostomy. ... The formation of a preternatural anus becomes necessary when it is desired to furnish a ..."

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