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Webster 1913 Edition


Mystery

Mys′ter-y

(mĭs′tẽr-y̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Mysteries
(mĭs′tẽr-ĭz)
.
[L.
mysterium
, Gr.
μυστήριον
, fr.
μύστησ
one initiated in mysteries; cf.
μυεῖν
to initiate into the mysteries, fr.
μύειν
to shut the eyes. Cf.
Mute
,
Adj.
]
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.

Mys′ter-y

,
Noun.
;
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
.
Shakespeare
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.

Webster 1828 Edition


Mystery

MYS'TERY

,
Noun.
[L. mysterium; Gr. a secret. This word in Greek is rendered also murium latibulum; but probably both senses are from that of hiding or shutting; Gr. to shut, to conceal.
1.
A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; such as the mystery of the man with the iron mask in France.
2.
In religion, any thing in the character or attributes of
God, or in the economy of divine providence, which is not revealed to man.
3.
That which is beyond human comprehension until explained. In this sense, mystery often conveys the idea of something awfully sublime or important; something that excites wonder.
Great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Tim.3.
Having made known to us the mystery of his will. Eph.1.
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. 1 Cor.2.
4.
An enigma; any thing artfully made difficult.
5.
A kind of ancient dramatic representation.
6.
A trade; a calling; any mechanical occupation which supposes skill or knowledge peculiar to those who carry it on, and therefore a secret to others.
[The word in the latter sense has been supposed to have a different origin from the foregoing, viz.]

Definition 2024


mystery

mystery

English

Noun

mystery (countable and uncountable, plural mysteries)

  1. Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown. [From XIV century.]
    The truth behind the events remains a mystery.
    • 1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings:
      The case was that of a murder. It had an element of mystery about it, however, which was puzzling the authorities. A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff.
  2. Someone or something with an obscure or puzzling nature.
    That man is a mystery.
    • 1905, Baroness Emmuska Orczy, chapter 5, in The Hocussing of Cigarette:
      Then I had a good think on the subject of the hocussing of Cigarette, and I was reluctantly bound to admit that once again the man in the corner had found the only possible solution to the mystery.
  3. (obsolete) A secret or mystical meaning. [From XIV century.]
    • 1567, Matteo Bandello, Certain Tragical Discourses of Bandello, tr. Geffraie Fenton:
      ...and, not knowing the meaning or misterie of her pollicie, forgat no termes of reproche or rigorous rebuke against his chast doughter.
  4. A religious truth not understandable by the application of human reason alone (without divine aid). [From XIV century.]
    • Jonathan Swift (1667–1745)
      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.
  5. (archaic outside Eastern Orthodoxy) A sacrament. [From XV century.]
    • 1809, Sir Robert Ker Porter, Travelling Sketches in Russia and Sweden: During the Years 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808:
      There are seven mysteries, or sacraments, in the Greek church, viz. baptism, the chrism (a rite peculiar to this church), the eucharist, confession, ordination, marriage, and the holy oil.
  6. (chiefly in the plural) A secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated. [From XV century.]
    the Eleusinian mysteries
  7. (Catholicism) A particular event or series of events in the life of Christ. [From XVII century.]
    The second decade of the Rosary concerns the Sorrowful mysteries, such as the crucifixion and the crowning with thorns.

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