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Definition of Preternatural
1. Adjective. Surpassing the ordinary or normal. "His uncanny sense of direction"
2. Adjective. Existing outside of or not in accordance with nature. "Find transcendental motives for sublunary action"
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
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 ..."