资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Supernatural \Su`per*nat"u*ral\, a. [Pref. super- + natural: cf.
   OF. supernaturel, F. surnaturel.]
   Being beyond, or exceeding, the power or laws of nature;
   miraculous.

   Syn: Preternatural.

   Usage: {Supernatural}, {Preternatural}. Preternatural
          signifies beside nature, and supernatural, above or
          beyond nature. What is very greatly aside from the
          ordinary course of things is preternatural; what is
          above or beyond the established laws of the universe
          is supernatural. The dark day which terrified all
          Europe nearly a century ago was preternatural; the
          resurrection of the dead is supernatural. ``That form
          which the earth is under at present is preternatural,
          like a statue made and broken again.'' --T. Burnet.
          ``Cures wrought by medicines are natural operations;
          but the miraculous ones wrought by Christ and his
          apostles were supernatural.'' --Boyle.

                That is supernatural, whether it be, that is
                either not in the chain of natural cause and
                effect, or which acts on the chain of cause and
                effect in nature, from without the chain.
                                                  --Bushnell.

                We must not view creation as supernatural, but
                we do look upon it as miraculous. --McCosh.

   {The supernatural}, whatever is above and beyond the scope,
      or the established course, of the laws of nature. ``Nature
      and the supernatural.'' --H. Bushnell.