DictionaryRoot: -alis
Latin

-alis

of, relating to

Forms

  • -alis
  • -aris — Latin variant especially used when the stem already contained l, avoiding a repeated l sound.
  • -al — English ending borrowed through French or directly from Latin.
  • -ar — English ending continuing Latin -aris.

Origin

An older Latin adjective-forming suffix; its more remote ancestry is uncertain.

Note

Expresses a relationship without specifying its kind: material, place, purpose, and other connections are possible.

301 / 336
A translucent human ghost passes directly through a solid, closed door while a nearby woman recoils in astonishment.
adjective / noun

supernatural

soo-per-NACH-rul/ˌsuːpərˈnætʃrəl/

Forces or phenomena beyond natural explanation.

Etymology

“Beyond nature” originally characterized divine or heavenly things, especially revelation. The same idea underlies the selected meaning: something exceeding the powers or laws by which nature ordinarily operates.

Full entry

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