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things, but not clearly supernatural or miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon; irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in childbirth) or labor. This vile and preternatural temper of mind. South.

A convulsive disease, attended with ravenous hunger, not uncommon in Sweden and Germany. It was so called because supposed to be caused by eating corn with which seeds of jointed charlock (Raphanus raphanistrum) had been mixed, but the condition is now known to be a form of ergotism.

Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found. Rare work, all filled with terror and delight. Cowley. Above the rest I judge one beauty rare. Dryden.

That which is rare; an uncommon thing; a thing valued for its scarcity. I saw three rarities of different kinds, which pleased me more than any other shows in the place. Addison.

Curved in an opposite or uncommon direction; bent back; as, a bird with a recurved bill; flowers with recurved petals.

Worthy of being remarked or noticed; noticeable; conspicuous; hence, uncommon; extraordinary. 'T is remarkable, that they Talk most who have the least to say. Prior. There is nothing left remarlable Beneath the visiting moon. Shak.

Uncommonly beautiful; hence, extravagantly fine or pleasing; alluring; as, rose-colored anticipations.

abundant; in small quantity in proportion to the demand; not easily to be procured; rare; uncommon. You tell him silver is scarcer now in England, and therefore risen one fifth in value. Locke. The scarcest of all is a Pescennius Niger on a medallion well preserved. Addison.

Rare; uncommon; unusual. [Obs.] Chaucer. Spenser.

Standing by itself; out of the ordinary course; unusual; uncommon; strange; as, a singular phenomenon. So singular a sadness Must have a cause as strange as the effect. Denham.

Particular; peculiar; different from others; extraordinary; uncommon. Our Savior is represented everywhere in Scripture as the special patron of the poor and the afficted. Atterbury. To this special evil an improvement of style would apply a special redress. De Quincey.

A person or thing of uncommon size. [Colloq.]

Excellent in an uncommon degree; very excellent. Drayton.

Not usual; uncommon; strange; new. What unaccustomed cause procures her hither Shak.

Uncommon; rare; exquisite; elegant. [Obs.] Harness . . . so uncouth and so rish. Chaucer.

Not usual; uncommon; rare; as, an unusual season; a person of unusual grace or erudition. -- Un*u"su*al*ly, adv. -- Un*u"su*al*ness, n.

Uncommon; unusual; infrequent; rare; as, unwonted changes. "Unwonted lights." Byron. -- Un*wont"ed*ly, adv. -- Un*wont"ed*ness, n.

Amphibole resulting from the alternation of pyroxene by paramorphism. It is not uncommon in massive eruptive rocks.

taining to vowel sounds; consisting of the vowel sounds. Earle. The Gaelic language being uncommonly vocalic. Sir W. Scott.

Something uncommonly large of the kind; something astonishing; -- applied especially to a bold lie. [Colloq.]