mystery1
- anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown: the mysteries of nature.
- any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation: The masked guest is an absolute mystery to everyone.
- a novel, short story, play, or film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled until the very end: a mystery by Agatha Christie.
- obscure, puzzling, or mysterious quality or character: the mystery of Mona Lisa's smile.
- any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation.
- (in the Christian religion)
- a sacramental rite.
- the Eucharist.
- an incident or scene in connection with the life of Christ, regarded as of special significance: the mysteries of the Passion.
- any of the 15 events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary meditated upon during the recitation of the rosary.
- mysteries,
- ancient religions that admitted candidates by secret rites and rituals the meaning of which was known only to initiated worshipers.
- any rites or secrets known only to those initiated: the mysteries of Freemasonry.
- (in the Christian religion) the Eucharistic elements.
- mystery play.
Origin of mystery1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for mystery on Thesaurus.commystery2
- a craft or trade.
- a guild, as of merchants.
Origin of mystery2
Examples from the Web for mystery
Contemporary Examples
The fate of AirAsia Flight 8501 and the 162 souls on board is a tragedy, but it will not remain a mystery for much longer.
So far, the mystery man in the morgue has not been identified, and neither has Mr. Douli.
Due to the video lacking audio, what they were fighting about remains a mystery—“was Jay cheating?”
But his motives for shooting John Paul II have remained a mystery shrouded in multiple conspiracy theories.
It was a mystery to devout Christians in the early Church, too.
Historical Examples
"Marvellous, indeed, is the mystery of our being," exclaimed Anaxagoras.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
From that day the fate of Leichardt and his companions has been involved in mystery.
Explorations in AustraliaJohn Forrest
It is the old land of mystery and wonder which the Greeks called Mesopotamia.
Ancient ManHendrik Willem van Loon
The difference too is radical; it goes to the heart of the mystery.
'Tis Sixty Years SinceCharles Francis Adams
Will Nature teach them the mystery of a plate of turtle-soup?
The New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne
mystery1
- an unexplained or inexplicable event, phenomenon, etc
- a person or thing that arouses curiosity or suspense because of an unknown, obscure, or enigmatic quality
- the state or quality of being obscure, inexplicable, or enigmatic
- a story, film, etc, which arouses suspense and curiosity because of facts concealed
- Christianity any truth that is divinely revealed but otherwise unknowable
- Christianity a sacramental rite, such as the Eucharist, or (when plural) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist
- (often plural) any of various rites of certain ancient Mediterranean religions
- short for mystery play
Word Origin
mystery2
- a trade, occupation, or craft
- a guild of craftsmen
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for mystery
n.1
early 14c., in a theological sense, "religious truth via divine revelation, hidden spiritual significance, mystical truth," from Anglo-French *misterie, Old French mistere "secret, mystery, hidden meaning" (Modern French mystère), from Latin mysterium "secret rite, secret worship; a secret thing," from Greek mysterion (usually in plural mysteria) "secret rite or doctrine," from mystes "one who has been initiated," from myein "to close, shut" (see mute (adj.)); perhaps referring to the lips (in secrecy) or to the eyes (only initiates were allowed to see the sacred rites).
The Greek word was used in Septuagint for "secret counsel of God," translated in Vulgate as sacramentum. Non-theological use in English, "a hidden or secret thing," is from late 14c. In reference to the ancient rites of Greece, Egypt, etc. it is attested from 1640s. Meaning "detective story" first recorded in English 1908.
n.2
"handicraft, trade, art" (archaic), late 14c., from Medieval Latin misterium, alteration of Latin ministerium "service, occupation, office, ministry" (see ministry), influenced in form by Medieval Latin mysterium (see mystery (n.1)) and in sense by maistrie "mastery." Now only in mystery play, in reference to the medieval performances, which often were staged by members of craft guilds. The two senses of mystery formed a common pun in (secular) Tudor theater.