The correct spelling of the word "paranormal" is /ˌpærəˈnɔːrməl/. The first syllable "par-" is pronounced with the vowel sound /æ/, followed by an unstressed schwa sound /ə/ in the second syllable "-a-". The stressed syllable "-nor-" has the vowel sound /ɔː/, while the final syllable "-mal" is also pronounced with a schwa sound /əl/. The word is derived from "para-" meaning "beyond" and "normal", referring to supernatural or unexplained phenomena beyond what is considered normal or natural.
Paranormal is an adjective that refers to phenomena or events that cannot be scientifically explained and fall outside the realm of normal experiences or concepts. The prefix "para-" means beyond or outside, while "normal" implies conforming to the standards of what is considered typical or expected.
In the context of the supernatural or occult, paranormal phenomena are often associated with inexplicable occurrences, supernatural beings, or psychic abilities that defy logical explanation. These can include but are not limited to, ghosts, apparitions, poltergeists, telekinesis, clairvoyance, telepathy, or precognition.
The term also encompasses unexplained phenomena related to time, space, and dimensions, such as time slips or the ability to perceive events or entities from different periods. Additionally, paranormal phenomena can involve encounters with beings or energies that exist beyond the material world, like angels, demons, or extraterrestrial life forms.
While paranormal experiences are subjective and varied, they are often attributed to forces, energies, or entities that exist beyond the boundaries of our physical reality and are thus regarded as supernatural or inexplicable. Paranormal activities have fascinated and inspired human curiosity for centuries, prompting investigations, speculations, and debates among believers, skeptics, scientists, and enthusiasts.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "paranormal" is derived from two root words: "para" and "normal". "Para" comes from the Greek word "para-" meaning "beyond" or "beside", while "normal" comes from the Latin word "normalis" meaning "usual" or "standard". The combination of these two words gives us "paranormal", which refers to phenomena or experiences that are beyond or alongside what is considered normal or explainable by scientific understanding.