different between cryptic vs supernatural

English

Alternative forms

• cryptick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Late Latin crypticus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (kruptikós), from ??????? (kruptós, “hidden”), from ?????? (krúpt?, “to hide”). Compare cryptology.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?k??pt?k/

Adjective

cryptic (comparative more cryptic, superlative most cryptic)

1. Having hidden meaning.
2. Mystified or of an obscure nature.
3. Involving use of a code or cipher.
4. Of a crossword, or a clue in such a crossword, using, in addition to definitions, wordplay such as anagrams, homophones and hidden words to indicate solutions.
5. (zoology) Well camouflaged; having good camouflage.

6. (zoology) Serving as camouflage.
7. (biology, not comparable) Apparently identical, but actually genetically distinct.

8. (zoology) Living in a cavity or small cave.

   Synonym: (less common) cryptozoic

   • 1999, Rachel Wood, Reef Evolution, p. 95:

     Much of the Permian Capitan reef was strongly differentiated into open surface and cryptic communities.

Translations

Noun

cryptic (plural cryptics)

1. (informal) A cryptic crossword.
   • 2009, Bill Taylor, Building a crossword (in Toronto Star, 1 February 2009)

     This writer has been solving cryptics for 40 years and can usually crack Araucaria, though it might take a couple of days.

Derived terms

• cryptically
• cryptogram

English

Etymology

From Middle English supernatural, supernatural, from Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supern?t?r?lis, from super (“above”) + n?t?ra (“nature; that which we are born with”), from n?tus (“born”), perfect passive participle of n?sc? (“to be born”) + adjective suffix -?lis.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?s(j)u?p??nat?(?)??l/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?s(j)u?p??næt???l/, /?s(j)u?p??næt???l/
• (General New Zealand) IPA^(key): /?s(j)??p??n?t???(l)/

Adjective

supernatural (comparative more supernatural, superlative most supernatural)

1. Above nature; beyond or added to nature, often so considered because it is given by a deity or some force beyond that which humans are born with.

   In Roman Catholic theology, sanctifying grace is considered to be a supernatural addition to human nature.

   Stephen King's first novel is about a girl named Carrie dealing with supernatural powers.

   • March 14, 2018, Roger Penrose writing in The Guardian, 'Mind over matter': Stephen Hawking – obituary

     As with the Delphic oracle of ancient Greece, physical impairment seemed compensated by almost supernatural gifts, which allowed his mind to roam the universe freely, upon occasion enigmatically revealing some of its secrets hidden from ordinary mortal view.

2. Not of the usual; not natural; altered by forces that are not understood fully if at all.

Synonyms

• extraordinary, paranormal, preternatural, supranatural, unnatural

Antonyms

• ordinary
• natural

Translations

Noun

supernatural (plural supernaturals)

1. (countable) A supernatural being
2. (uncountable) Supernatural beings and events collectively (when used with definite article: "the supernatural")
   • 2012, Blake Morrison, The Guardian, [1]:

     Dr Johnson defended Shakespeare's use of the supernatural from the charge of implausibility on the grounds that, "The reality of witchcraft … has in all ages and countries been credited by the common people, and in most by the learned."

Translations

Middle English

Alternative forms

• supernaturel

Etymology

From Middle French supernaturel, from Latin supern?t?r?lis; equivalent to super- +? natural.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?siu?p?rna??tiu?ral/, /?siu?p?rna??tiu?r?l/, /?siu?p?rna?tiu?ral/, /?siu?p?rna?tiu?r?l/

Adjective

supernatural

1. (Late Middle English, religion) Deity-related; from God.

Descendants

• English: supernatural
• Scots: supernatural

References

• “supern??t?r?l, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-06-14.

Spanish

Etymology

From Latin supern?t?r?lis.

Adjective

supernatural (plural supernaturales)

1. supernatural

   Synonym: sobrenatural