occult

[ uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt ]

adjective

1. of or relating to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
2. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.

   Synonyms: supernatural, metaphysical, esoteric, arcane

3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.

   Synonyms: unrevealed, kabbalistic, mystical, veiled

4. hidden from view; concealed.
5. (in early science)
   1. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
   2. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
   3. dealing with such qualities; experimental:

      occult science.

6. Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible:

   a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.

noun

1. Usually the occult.
   1. the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole.
   2. occult studies or sciences.

verb (used with object)

1. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
2. Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.

verb (used without object)

1. to become hidden or shut off from view.

occult

adjective

1. 1. of or characteristic of magical, mystical, or supernatural arts, phenomena, or influences
   2. ( as noun )

      the occult

2. beyond ordinary human understanding
3. secret or esoteric

verb

1. astronomy (of a celestial body) to hide (another celestial body) from view by occultation or (of a celestial body) to become hidden by occultation
2. to hide or become hidden or shut off from view
3. intr (of lights, esp in lighthouses) to shut off at regular intervals

Derived Forms

• ocˈcultly, adverb
• ocˈcultness, noun

Other Words From

• oc·culter noun
• oc·cultly adverb
• oc·cultness noun
• nonoc·cult adjective
• nonoc·culting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of occult¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin occultus (past participle of occulere “to hide from view, cover up”), equivalent to oc- “to, toward, over” + -cul-, akin to cēlāre “to hide” + -tus past participle suffix; oc-, conceal

Word History and Origins

Origin of occult¹

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

Example Sentences

Just as there is power in the number four, the number three also carries strong occult symbolism.

From Salon

Like “the priests of Egypt,” they considered themselves “the sole interpreter of an occult science.”

From Salon

Gail fed her children’s developing minds with notions of predestination, aliens and the occult.

From Los Angeles Times

Inside a former synagogue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Tony Oursler, 67, has built an extensive private collection of historic material related to magic, spirituality and the occult.

From New York Times

Israeli TV station KAN referred to a "controversy" over Bambie Thug's song, whose lyrics reference witchcraft and the occult, then noted that the performer had "spoken negatively about Israel".

From BBC