Nonsupernaturalists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who advocate for explanations of phenomena purely based on naturalistic principles rather than supernatural ones
2. People who maintain that all events and realities can be understood through science and natural laws, excluding the supernatural
3. Those who reject any claims or interpretations that invoke supernatural elements, emphasizing a rational, evidence-based approach to understanding the world

Etymology: This is a plural, so the essential story is in its parts: "nonsupernaturalist" is formed by adding the prefix "non-", meaning "not", to "supernaturalist", a person who holds to the existence of the supernatural. The prefix is a straightforward English addition from Latin "non", "not", and it attaches freely to existing nouns and adjectives to mark their negation. The result names those who reject supernatural explanations, the plural simply pluralising that label for a group. The base word "supernaturalist" builds on "supernatural", which combines Latin "super", "above" or "beyond", with "natural", from Latin "naturalis", relating to nature. Together they describe what lies beyond the natural order. Adding "non-" therefore reverses the belief system, so the word denotes people whose worldview stays within natural law.