Miracle
Meaning
An extraordinary and welcome event that is inexplicable by natural or scientific laws and is often attributed to a divine or supernatural cause.
Origin
The word "miracle" arrives in English directly from the Old French miracle, itself a descendant of the Latin miraculum. This Latin root meant "an object of wonder, a marvelous event," stemming from mirari, "to wonder at." From its earliest days, "miracle" was deeply intertwined with religious belief, particularly in the context of divine intervention—events so extraordinary they defied natural explanation and were attributed to God. Think of the parting of the Red Sea or the raising of the dead; these were the archetypal miracles. Over centuries, while its theological weight remained, the word also began to lighten, broadening its scope to describe any astonishing or highly improbable positive outcome, even if lacking an overt divine hand, becoming a universal expression for the truly astonishing and blessed.
Examples
- It was a miracle that the tiny kitten survived the harsh winter storms, defying all expectations.
- After years of searching, finding the lost heirloom was nothing short of a miracle for the family.