Preternatural
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The preternatural or praeternatural is that which appears outside or beside (Latin præter) the natural. In contrast to the supernatural, preternatural phenomena are presumed to have rational explanations that are unknown.[1]
The term is often used to distinguish from the divine (supernatural) while maintaining a distinction from what is known and understood. For example, in fiction, vampires are often portrayed as having preternatural qualities and capacities that greatly exceed those of normal people, apart from unnatural powers that no creature could hope to possess.[2]
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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Look up preternatural in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
- "What is the difference between natural, preternatural and supernatural?" Possession and Exorcism, J.A. Fortea
[edit] References
- ^ "Preternatural". Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary. 1913 + 1828. http://machaut.uchicago.edu/?resource=Webster's&word=preternatural.
- ^ Meyer, S. (2011). The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. Twilight Saga. Little, Brown Books. p. 37. ISBN 9780316043120. LCCN 2011389220. http://books.google.com/books?id=vwPI9oJXKiIC&pg=PT37.
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