preterhuman, a.
(priːtəˈhjuːmən)
[f. preter- + human.]
Beyond or outside of what is human: often = superhuman, but generally used to avoid the specific connotation of that word.
| 1811 Shelley St. Irvyne ii, He..started..as from the emanation of superior and preter-human being. 1854 Milman Lat. Chr. ii. iv. (1864) I. 276 The introduction of praeter-human forms. 1866 Liddon Bampt. Lect. vi. (1875) 298 What is it that gives Christ's human acts and sufferings such preterhuman value? 1871 Morley J. De Maistre Crit. Misc. Ser. i. (1878) 134 Laboriously building up with preterhuman patience and preterhuman sagacity. 1878 Gladstone Homer xi. 130 Achilles seems everywhere to tread on the bounds of the preterhuman. |