miracle
Meaning
An extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a divine agency.
A remarkable event or development that brings very welcome consequences.
Structure
Usage
Many believed his recovery was a medical miracle.
It's a miracle that no one was hurt in the accident.
The ancient text recounts the miracles performed by the prophet.
Etymology
The word 'miracle' entered English via Old French from the Latin miraculum, meaning "object of wonder" or "marvelous event." This Latin term is itself derived from the verb mirari ("to wonder at, marvel"), which originates from the root mirus ("wonderful"). The Proto-Indo-European root smei-, meaning "to laugh or smile," is thought to underlie this family of words, suggesting a conceptual link between wonder, admiration, and a pleased expression. Over time, the meaning specialized within a Christian theological context to denote a supernatural act of divine power, before broadening again in modern secular usage to describe any astonishing and fortunate occurrence.
Analysis
- mir: From Latin mirus (wonderful, astonishing, amazing). Serves as the core semantic root. - acle: A noun-forming suffix, a reduced form from Latin -aculum (instrument or means). In this word, it functions to create a noun meaning "an object or source of wonder."