mystic

¹

[ mis-tik ]

adjective

1. involving or characterized by esoteric, otherworldly, or symbolic practices or content, as certain religious ceremonies and art; spiritually significant; ethereal.
2. of the nature of or pertaining to mysteries known only to the initiated:

   mystic rites.

3. of occult character, power, or significance:

   a mystic formula.

4. of obscure or mysterious character or significance.
5. of or relating to mystics or mysticism.

noun

1. a person who claims to attain, or believes in the possibility of attaining, insight into mysteries transcending ordinary human knowledge, as by direct communication with the divine or immediate intuition in a state of spiritual ecstasy.
2. a person initiated into religious mysteries.

Mystic

²

[ mis-tik ]

noun

1. a section of Groton, in SE Connecticut: maritime museum.

mystic

/ ˈmɪstɪk /

noun

1. a person who achieves mystical experience or an apprehension of divine mysteries

adjective

1. another word for mystical

Other Words From

• mys·tic·i·ty [mi-, stis, -i-tee], noun
• mystic·ly adverb
• anti·mystic adjective noun
• non·mystic adjective noun
• semi·mystic adjective
• un·mystic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystic¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English mystik, from Latin mysticus, from Greek mystikós, from mýst(ēs) “an initiate into the mysteries” (from myeîn “to initiate, teach,” akin to mýein “to shut”; myopia ( def ) ) + -ikos -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystic¹

C14: via Latin from Greek mustikos, from mustēs mystery initiate; related to muein to initiate into sacred rites

Example Sentences

Strange and complicated rhythm structures and overheated harmonies, along with mystic bird calls in the piano all bespeak the magic of his young love.

From Los Angeles Times

The tone feels mystic, mysterious and surreal — a trail of context clues that takes us deeper into Katseye’s universe.

From Los Angeles Times

Unlike some of the bolder mystics of medieval Europe, however, she is relatively circumspect about her powers and thus attracts little unwanted attention.

From Salon

“There was something of a mystic about him, something holy, so gathered, about his manner…. The man was a born teacher, in the truest sense of the word.”

From Los Angeles Times

Another man with his hand raised said, “I heard the Persians hired one of those wandering mystic types.”

From Literature

Related Words

• mystical
• otherworldly
• supernatural