Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MYS'TER-IZ-ED, pp.

Expressed enigmatically.

MYS'TER-IZ-ING, ppr.

Expressing in enigmas.

MYS'TER-Y, n. [L. mysterium, Gr. μυστηριον, a secret. This word in Greek is rendered also murium latibulum; but probably both senses are from that of hiding or shutting; μυω, to shut, to conceal.]

1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; such as the mystery of the man with the iron mask in France.
2. In religion, any thing in the character or attributes of God; or in the economy of divine providence, which is not revealed to man; President Moore.
3. That which is beyond human comprehension until explained. In this sense, mystery often conveys the idea of something awfully sublime or important; something that excites wonder. Great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Tim. ill. Having made known to us the mystery of his will. Eph. i. We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. 1 Cor. ii.
4. An enigma; any thing artfully made difficult
5. A kind of ancient dramatic representation. Bp. Percy.
6. A trade; a calling; any mechanical occupation which supposes skill or knowledge peculiar to those who carry it on, and therefore a secret to others. [The word in the latter sense has been supposed to have a different origin from the foregoing, viz. Fr. metier, Norm. mestier, business, trade, occupation, as if from Norm. mestie, master. But this is probably incorrect.]
7. A kind of old play.

MYS'TIC, or MYS'TIC-AL, a. [L. mysticus; Gr. μυστικος.]

1. Obscure; hid; secret. Dryden.
2. Sacredly obscure or secret; remote from human comprehension. God hath revealed a way mystical and supernatural. Hooker.
3. Involving some secret meaning; allegorical; emblematical; as, mystic dance; mystic Babylon. Milton. Burnet.

MYS'TIC-AL-LY, adv.

In a manner or by an act implying a secret meaning. Donne.

MYS'TIC-AL-NESS, n.

The quality of being mystical, or of involving some secret meaning.

MYS'TI-CISM, n.

1. Obscurity of doctrine.
2. The doctrine of the Mystics, who profess a pure, sublime and perfect devotion, wholly disinterested, and maintain that they hold immediate intercourse with the divine Spirit.

MYS'TICS, n.

A religious sect who profess to have direct intercourse with the Spirit of God.

MYS'TI-FI-CA-TION, n.

The act of rendering any thing mysterious.

MYS'TI-FI-ED, pp.

Covered with mystery.

MYS'TI-FY, v.t.

To involve in mystery.

MYS'TI-FY-ING, ppr.

Covering with mystery.

MYTH, n. [Gr. μυθος.]

A fable or allegory.

MYTH'IC, or MYTH'IC-AL, a. [from Gr. μυθος, a fable.]

Fabulous. Shuckford.

MYTH'IC-AL-LY, adv.

By means of mythological fables or allegories.

MY-THOG'RA-PHER, n. [Gr. μυθος and γραφω.]

A composer of fables.

MY-THO-LOG'IC-AL, a. [See Mythology.]

Relating to mythology; fabulous.

MY-THO-LOG'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In a way suited to the system of fables.

MY-THOL'O-GIST, n.

One versed in mythology; one who writes on mythology, or explains the fables of the ancient pagans. Norris.

MY-THOL'O-GIZE, v.t.

To relate or explain the fabulous history of the heathen.

MY-THOL'O-GY, n. [Gr. μυθος, a fable, and λογος, discourse.]

A system of fables or fabulous opinions and doctrines respecting the deities which heathen nations have supposed to preside over the world or to influence the affairs of it.

MY'THO-PLASM, n.

A narration of mere fable.

MYT'I-LITE, n. [Gr. μυτιλος, a kind of shell.]

Ir. In geology, a petrified muscle or shell of the genus Mytilus. Kirwan.

MYX'ON, n. [Gr. μυξος.]

A fish of the mullet species.