Friday, June 19, 2009

Preternatural

Preternatural: Preternatural describes something that is beyond what is natural. Etymologically preternatural is synonymous with supernatural. As with supernatural, it might indicate any extraordinary act or action, but often it refers to paranormal or psychic abilities. Note to amateur etymologists: you must ignore the apparent prefix pre as the actual prefix is preter from the Latin meaning beyond. Unfortunately learning this prefix is of little value as the few other words employing it are very obscure and rarely encountered.
The deep exhaustion and lingering disorientation of jet-lag were making Robin almost preternaturally sensitive to her unsettlingly strange surroundings.

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