Miracle, Mirror and Admire Share a Root
A miracle is an event that seems impossible by natural means. The Latin behind it means to wonder at, which links it to some unexpected relatives.
A miracle is an event that cannot be explained by natural laws, and by extension any remarkable stroke of luck. Its Latin root *mirari*, to wonder at, has produced a surprising family: *mirror*, the thing you look at in wonder, *admire*, and *marvel*.
- An event beyond natural explanation. *They called it a miracle.*
- A remarkable and welcome event. *It is a miracle nobody was hurt.*
- An outstanding example. *A miracle of engineering.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | miracle | A small miracle. |
| Plural | miracles | Modern miracles. |
| Adjective | miraculous | A miraculous escape. |
| Adverb | miraculously | Miraculously unhurt. |
| Related | marvel | A marvel of design. |
How it is used in a sentence
- It was a miracle the tree missed the house.Everyday exaggeration.
- He made a miraculous recovery.Meaning surprisingly complete.
- Do not expect miracles.A warning about limits.
The wondering family
- Miracle — a wonder beyond explanation
- Mirror — from the same root, a thing to look at
- Admire — to wonder at with approval
- Marvel — a wonder, and to wonder
- Mirage — something that looks real and is not
From Old French *miracle*, from Latin *miraculum*, an object of wonder, from *mirari*, to wonder at, from *mirus*, wonderful.
What was a miracle play?
A medieval drama telling stories of saints or biblical events, performed in and later outside churches.
Miracle or marvel?
A miracle suggests something beyond natural explanation. A marvel is simply astonishing, with no claim about causes.