1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore
exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically,
that which is beyond human comprehension.
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery.
1 Cor. ii. 7.
If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in
our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new
faculties of the mind.
Swift. 2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated
by certain preparatory ceremonies; — usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries.
3. pl. The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
Mystery
(Mys"ter*y), n.; pl. Mysteries. [OE. mistere, OF. mestier, F. métier, L. ministerium. See
Ministry.]
1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied.
Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery.
Shak.
And that which is the noblest mystery
Brings to reproach and common infamy.
Spenser. 2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic
composition of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft
associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century.
"Mystery plays," so called because acted by craftsmen.
Skeat. Mystic
(Mys"tic Mys"tic*al) a. [L. mysticus, Gr. belonging to secret rites, from one initiated: cf. F. mystique.
See 1st Mystery, Misty.]
1. Remote from or beyond human comprehension; baffling human understanding; unknowable; obscure; mysterious.
Heaven's numerous hierarchy span
The mystic gulf from God to man.
Emerson.
God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural.
Hooker. 2. Importing or implying mysticism; involving some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, a mystic
dance; mystic Babylon.
Thus, then, did the spirit of unity and meekness inspire every joint and sinew of the mystical body.
Milton. — Mys"tic*al*ly, adv. — Mys"tic*al*ness, n.
Mystic
(Mys"tic) n. One given to mysticism; one who holds mystical views, interpretations, etc.; especially,
in ecclesiastical history, one who professed mysticism. See Mysticism.
Mysticete
(Mys"ti*cete) n. [Gr. my`stax the upper lip, also, the mustache + kh^tos a whale.] (Zoöl.)
Any right whale, or whalebone whale. See Cetacea.
Mysticism
(Mys"ti*cism) n. [Cf. F. mysticisme.]
1. Obscurity of doctrine.
