I. “+ adjective
Etymology: Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from Latin super- + natura nature + -alis -al
1.
a. : of, belonging to, having reference to, or proceeding from an order of existence beyond the physical universe that is observable, and capable of being experienced by ordinary means : transcending nature in degree and in kind or concerned with what transcends nature
a supernatural divine order which directs history from outside and keeps man in touch with the eternal world through the Church and the sacraments — Times Literary Supplement
the supernatural character of the soul
b. : being, having reference to, or proceeding from God or a god, demigod, spirit, or infernal being
among primitive peoples today, the supernatural scene is infinitely variegated — J.B.Noss
inquired … whether the strangers were supernatural beings, or men of flesh and blood — W.H.Prescott
attributed to the sun and the moon supernatural powers, made gods of them and worshiped them — College English
c. : divine as opposed to human, or spiritual as opposed to material
to make students conscious of the fact that they are not merely natural men but that they have a supernatural destiny — St. John's University Cat.
man's supernatural life, the life of the soul above the natural life of the body — M.W.Baldwin
2.
a. : differing from the natural only in degree by being much more than is natural or normal : superhuman , preternatural
has come up with almost supernatural speed — George Weller
b. : extreme , excessive
curs and mongrels … endowed with supernatural powers of yelping — Rachel Henning
3.
a. : ascribed to agencies or powers above or beyond nature or based upon such an ascription : initiated, effected, continued, or supported by means that transcend the laws or observed sequences of nature
the supernatural origin of life
especially : miraculous
possess the gift of second sight, and the power to wreak supernatural vengeance upon those who offend them — Herman Melville
did not mention the supernatural events … for fear of encouraging skeptical laughter — Robert Graves
b. : attributable to or liable to be attributed to the action or presence of a ghost, spirit, or other invisible agent : eerie , occult
something supernatural , a stirring as it were of the roots of the hair — W.B.Yeats
• su·per·naturally “+ adverb
• su·per·naturalness “+ noun -es
II. noun
1. : something that is supernatural : the supernatural order of existence : divine operation, influence or intervention — used with the
the supernatural is in its ultimate essence incomprehensible on our plane of existence — Register
2. : something of supernatural origin : something miraculous or marvelous
3. : a supernatural being, force, or essence
the object itself (water, tree, or rock) which was worshiped as a supernatural — W.A.L.Elmslie