Supernaturals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

  1. Relating to phenomena or beings beyond the laws of nature
  2. Describing entities or events that cannot be explained by natural law and invoke a sense of the mystical
  3. Characterizing forces or beings that exist outside the normal realm of reality and are often associated with the divine or otherworldly

Etymology: The concept behind this word reaches back to human attempts to explain phenomena beyond the natural world—events or beings that defy ordinary physical laws. The root "supernatural" emerged in English during the late Middle Ages, around the 15th century, as scholars and theologians sought to categorize experiences or entities that transcended natural philosophy, which was the study of the physical universe at the time. "Supernatural" itself combines the Latin prefix "super-" meaning "above," "beyond," or "over," with "naturalis," derived from "natura," the Latin word for "nature." Thus, it literally means "above nature" or "beyond nature." This formation reflects a worldview in which nature was seen as a fixed order, and anything beyond it had to be accounted for with a separate term. The word first appeared in English in theological contexts, especially when distinguishing divine or miraculous events from natural occurrences. The plural form, indicated by adding "-s," naturally extends this to encompass various beings or phenomena considered to be beyond the natural—such as ghosts, spirits, angels, demons, or mystical forces. Over time, the term broadened beyond strictly religious or philosophical use to popular culture, folklore, and paranormal studies, where it refers to anything inexplicable by current scientific understanding. In literary and cultural history, "supernaturals" came to signify characters or elements in stories that introduce mystery, fear, or wonder by breaking the rules of the natural world. This pluralization allows for discussing multiple such beings or phenomena collectively, capturing the human fascination with what lies beyond the seen and measurable world.

Synonyms: paranormals, metaphysicals

Antonyms: naturals