ENGLISH
REFERENCE

miracle

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈmɪɹəkəɫ// UK //mˈɪɹəkəl// mir·a·cle

n. an amazing event that seems impossible because it cannot be explained by science. People often believe these events are caused by God or a higher power.

n. an extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs; more broadly, an extremely outstanding or unusual event, thing, or accomplishment.


SIMPLE

It is a miracle that everyone survived the crash.

CONTEXTUAL

The doctors said her recovery was a miracle because they had lost all hope.

COMPLEX

While theologians debate the nature of divine miracles, the local community viewed the sudden end of the drought as a direct answer to their collective prayers.

Origin

From Middle English miracle, from Old French miracle, from Latin mīrāculum (“object of wonder”), from mīror (“to wonder at”), from mīrus (“wonderful”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meyh₂- (“to smile, to be astonished”). Doublet of milagro and miraculum. Partially displaced native wonder, from Old English wundor (“miracle, wonder”).

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'of' to describe the nature of the event, such as 'a miracle of modern medicine'.

Idioms1 entry

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