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mystagogue

[ mis-tuh-gawg, -gog ]
/ ˈmɪs təˌgɔg, -ˌgɒg /
|

noun

someone who instructs others before initiation into religious mysteries or before participation in the sacraments.
a person whose teachings are said to be founded on mystical revelations.

Nearby words

mysophilia, mysophobia, mysore, myspace, mystagogic, mystagogue, mystagogy, mysteries, mysterious, mysteriously, mystery

Origin of mystagogue

1540–50; < Latin mystagōgus < Greek mystagōgós, equivalent to mýst(ēs) (see mystic) + ágōgos -agogue
Related formsmys·ta·go·gy [mis-tuh-goh-jee, -goj-ee] /ˈmɪs təˌgoʊ dʒi, -ˌgɒdʒ i/, mys·ta·go·gue·ry [mis-tuh-gaw-guh-ree, -gog-uh-] /ˈmɪs təˌgɔ gə ri, -ˌgɒg ə-/, nounmys·ta·gog·ic [mis-tuh-goj-ik] /ˌmɪs təˈgɒdʒ ɪk/, mys·ta·gog·i·cal, adjectivemys·ta·gog·i·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mystagogue

British Dictionary definitions for mystagogue

mystagogue

/ (ˈmɪstəˌɡɒɡ) /

noun

(in Mediterranean mystery religions) a person who instructs those who are preparing for initiation into the mysteries
Derived Formsmystagogic (ˌmɪstəˈɡɒdʒɪk) or mystagogical, adjectivemystagogically, adverbmystagogy (ˈmɪstəˌɡɒdʒɪ), noun

Word Origin for mystagogue

C16: via Latin from Greek mustagōgos, from mustēs candidate for initiation + agein to lead. See mystic
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for mystagogue

mystagogue

n.

"person who initiates into mysteries," 1550s, from Latin mystagogus "a guide to the mysteries," from Greek mystagogos, from mystes "one initiated into the mysteries" (see mystery (n.1)) + agogos "leading, a leader" (see act (n.)). Related: Mystagogic; mystagogical; mystagogy; mystagoguery.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper