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adj. 1. Surpassing what is normal or usual; extraordinary: "Below his preternatural affability there is some acid and steel" (George F. Will). 2. Transcending the natural or material order; supernatural. [Medieval Latin praeternātūrālis, from Latin praeter nātūrām, beyond nature : praeter, beyond; see PRETERITE + nātūra, nature; see NATURE.] pre′ter·natu·ral·ism n. pre′ter·natu·ral·ly adv. pre′ter·natu·ral·ness n. |
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