\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.