Mär'vel-oŭs, a.

a. [Written also marvellous.] Eng. mervelus, marvelose, O. Fr. merveilhos, merveillos, merveillous, N. Fr. merveilleuse, Sp. maravilloso, Pg. maravilhoso, It. maraviglioso. See supra.] 1. Exciting wonder or surprise; wonderful; strange; astonishing; prodigious. This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. Ps. cxviii. 23. 2. Surpassing belief; not to be literally credited; partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural power; incredible. The marvelous (Rhet. & Criticism), that which exceeds natural power, or is preternatural;—opposed to the probable. Syn.—Wonderful; astonishing; surprising; strange; improbable; incredible.—MARVELOUS, WONDERFUL. We speak of a thing as wonderful when it awakens our surprise and admiration; as marvelous when it is so much out of the ordinary course of things as to seem nearly or quite incredible. The victories of Napoleon were wonderful; the sleight-of-hand tricks which are sometimes exhibited are so marvelous that they would appear incredible if not publicly performed. I found The new-created world, which fame in heaven Long had foretold, a fabric wonderful Of absolute perfection. Milton. Whence he endued was with skill so marvelous. Spenser.