occult

[ uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt ]

/ əˈkʌlt, ˈɒk ʌlt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR occult ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.

secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.

hidden from view.

(in early science)

not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
dealing with such qualities; experimental: occult science.

Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible: a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.

noun

the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually preceded by the).

occult studies or sciences (usually preceded by the).

verb (used with object)

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

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

verb (used without object)

to become hidden or shut off from view.

Words nearby occult

occlusion of pupil, occlusive, occlusive dressing, occlusive ileus, occlusive meningitis, occult, occult balance, occult blood, occult fracture, occult hydrocephalus, occultation

Origin of occult

1520–30; < Latin occultus (past participle of occulere to hide from view, cover up), equivalent to oc- oc- + -cul-, akin to cēlāre to conceal + -tus past participle suffix

SYNONYMS FOR occult

2 metaphysical, supernatural.

3 concealed, unrevealed; veiled, shrouded; mystical, cabalistic.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR occult ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM occult

oc·cult·er, nounoc·cult·ly, adverboc·cult·ness, nounnon·oc·cult, adjective

non·oc·cult·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for occult

“Occult” literally means “hidden from view,” which is why we use it both in astronomy and to refer to secret knowledge.
Chariklo, a Minor Planet Nicknamed a “Centaur,” Discovered to Have Rings|Matthew R. Francis|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The people of Ponchatoula were also left wondering if the occult had anything to do with the crimes.
The Satanic Child Sex Abuse Case That May Have Inspired ‘True Detective’|Steven Ward|March 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One engineering school is even promoting a fascinating course on the relationship between the occult and technology.
Fall's Hottest College Courses|Josh Dzieza, Daniel D'Addario|September 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Nazi Party actually began as an occult fraternity, before it morphed into a political party.
Hitler’s Hunt for the Holy Grail and the Ghent Altarpiece|Noah Charney|December 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Here we all unconsciously eat the lotus in some occult fashion, are straightway bewitched and held willing captives.
A Truthful Woman in Southern California|Kate Sanborn
As it was, neither of us had ever heard of occult science, or of the necessity of such a regimen to the perfectionment of faculty.
The Story of Anna Kingsford and Edward Maitland and of the new Gospel of Interpretation|Edward Maitland
He had neither patience for presentiments nor faith in anything that bordered on the occult.
Rim o' the World|B. M. Bower
Either this, or the champagne, or some occult influence, had an extraordinary effect upon him.
Democracy An American Novel|Henry Adams
Their gains are occult curses; comfortless loss their truest blessing; failure and pain Nature's only mercy to them.
Time and Tide by Weare and Tyne|John Ruskin

British Dictionary definitions for occult

occult

adjective (ɒˈkʌlt, ˈɒkʌlt)

of or characteristic of magical, mystical, or supernatural arts, phenomena, or influences
(as noun)the occult

beyond ordinary human understanding

secret or esoteric

verb (ɒˈkʌlt)

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

to hide or become hidden or shut off from view

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

Derived forms of occult

occultly, adverboccultness, noun

Word Origin for occult

C16: from Latin occultus, past participle of occulere, from ob- over, up + -culere, related to celāre to conceal

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

Medical definitions for occult

occult

[ ə-kŭlt′, ŏk′ŭlt′ ]

adj.

Hidden; concealed.

Detectable only by microscopic examination or chemical analysis.

Not accompanied by readily detectable signs or symptoms.

occult

adjective

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Words related to occult

Words nearby occult

Origin of occult

SYNONYMS FOR occult

OTHER WORDS FROM occult

Examples from the Web for occult

British Dictionary definitions for occult

adjective (ɒˈkʌlt, ˈɒkʌlt)

verb (ɒˈkʌlt)

Derived forms of occult

Word Origin for occult

Medical definitions for occult

adj.