superˈnormal, a.
[super- 4 a.]
1. Exceeding that which is normal.
| 1868 W. R. Greg Lit. & Soc. Judgm. 356 This vast amount of super-normal celibacy. 1910 G. Tyrrell Autobiog. (1912) I. iii. 33 This deafness is covered by the acquired, super⁓normal acuteness of the other ear. |
2. Applied to phenomena of an extraordinary or exceptional kind, involving a higher law or principle than those ordinarily occurring, but not necessarily supernatural. Also absol.
| 1885 Myers in Proc. Soc. Psych. Res. III. 30 note, I have ventured to coin the word ‘supernormal’ to be applied to phenomena which are beyond what usually happens... By a supernormal phenomenon I mean,..one which exhibits the action of laws higher, in a psychical aspect, than are discerned in action in everyday life. 1886 Times 30 Oct. 9/4 The phenomena of mesmerism, of hypnotism, and of other abnormal or supernormal conditions of the human consciousness. 1898 Month Sept. 228 Alleged instances of the supernormal. |
Hence superˈnormally adv.
| 1895 Daily News 22 Nov. 4/7 Knowledge supernormally acquired. 1899 A. Lang Myth, Rit. & Relig. xii. II. 23, Morals divinely and supernormally revealed. |