occult

American  

[uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt] / əˈkʌlt, ˈɒk ʌlt /

adjective

1. of or relating to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.

2. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.

   Synonyms:

   supernatural , metaphysical , esoteric , arcane

3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.

   Synonyms:

   kabbalistic , mystical , veiled , unrevealed

4. hidden from view; concealed.

5. (in early science)

   1. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.

   2. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.

   3. dealing with such qualities; experimental.

      occult science.

6. Medicine/Medical.  present in amounts too small to be visible.

   a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.

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noun

1. Usually the occult

   1. the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole.

   2. occult studies or sciences.

verb (used with object)

1. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.

2. Astronomy.  to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.

verb (used without object)

1. to become hidden or shut off from view.

occult British  

adjective

1. 1. of or characteristic of magical, mystical, or supernatural arts, phenomena, or influences

   2. ( as noun )

      the occult

2. beyond ordinary human understanding

3. secret or esoteric

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verb

1. astronomy (of a celestial body) to hide (another celestial body) from view by occultation or (of a celestial body) to become hidden by occultation

2. to hide or become hidden or shut off from view

3. (intr) (of lights, esp in lighthouses) to shut off at regular intervals

Other Word Forms

• nonoccult adjective
• nonocculting adjective
• occulter noun
• occultly adverb
• occultness noun

Etymology

Origin of occult

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin occultus (past participle of occulere “to hide from view, cover up”), equivalent to oc- “to, toward, over” + -cul-, akin to cēlāre “to hide” + -tus past participle suffix; oc-, conceal

Example Sentences

The love of ambiguity can feel somewhat coy—Ms. Tokarczuk gestures toward the existence of occult mysteries without deigning to fully portray them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Charismatics emphasize practices that used to be fringe in American Christianity, such as “ideas of faith healing or miracles, prophecy, and the occult/demonic forces of opposition,” are normalizing as charismatic Christianity surges, he added.

From Salon

As it turns out, Gladys, avid in the occult, is keeping those kids in a trance to drain them of their energy and stay alive.

From Los Angeles Times

Among the policies of this new regime would be the “death penalty” for an “occult element at the high levels of society, specifically among the Jews,” that is “suppressing” Christianity.

From The Wall Street Journal

He calls for “the death penalty” for an “occult element at the high levels of society, specifically among the Jews,” that is “suppressing” Christianity.

From The Wall Street Journal