mystery

English

/ˈmɪstəɹi/

noun
Definitions
  • Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
  • Someone or something with an obscure or puzzling nature.
  • (obsolete) A secret or mystical meaning.
  • A religious truth not understandable by the application of human reason alone (without divine aid).
  • (archaic) A sacrament.
  • (mostly) A secret religious celebration, admission to which was usually through initiation.
  • (Catholicism) A particular event or series of events in the life of Christ.
  • A craft, art or trade; specifically a guild of craftsmen.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English mysterie derived from misterie derived from Latin mysterium (mystery) derived from Ancient Greek μυστήριον (a secret, a mystery, a secret rite, mystery).

Origin

Ancient Greek

μυστήριον

Gloss

a secret, a mystery, a secret rite, mystery

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms