Contranatural

/ˌkɒntrəˈnætʃərəl/ adjective

Definition

Going against or opposite to nature; unnatural or contrary to natural law or order.

Etymology

From Latin 'contra-' (against) + 'naturalis' (of nature). A philosophical term used from medieval times onward to describe things that violate natural principles.

Kelly Says

Medieval theologians used 'contranatural' to describe acts against 'natural law'—like how they thought same-sex relationships were contranatural. The word reveals more about medieval assumptions than about nature itself.

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