- Mysteries
- Mystery Mys"ter*y (m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[y^]), n.; pl. {Mysteries}
(m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[i^]z). [L. mysterium, Gr. mysth`rion, fr.
my`sths one initiated in mysteries; cf. myei^n to initiate
into the mysteries, fr. my`ein to shut the eyes. Cf. {Mute},
a.]
1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something
kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting
curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can
not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is
beyond human comprehension.
[1913 Webster]
We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. --1 Cor. ii. 7. [1913 Webster]
If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in our holy religion, we should not be able to understand them, unless he would bestow on us some new faculties of the mind. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the Eleusinian mysteries. [1913 Webster]
3. pl. The consecrated elements in the eucharist. [1913 Webster]
4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
