hermetic

[ hur-met-ik ]

adjective

1. made airtight by fusion or sealing.
2. not affected by outward influence or power; isolated.
3. (sometimes initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of occult science, especially alchemy.
4. (initial capital letter) of or relating to Hermes Trismegistus or the writings ascribed to him.

Hermetic

¹

/ hɜːˈmɛtɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to Hermes Trismegistus or the writings and teachings ascribed to him
2. of or relating to ancient science, esp alchemy
3. esoteric or recondite

hermetic

²

/ hɜːˈmɛtɪk /

adjective

1. sealed so as to be airtight
2. hidden or protected from the outside world

Derived Forms

• herˈmetically, adverb

Other Words From

• unher·metic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hermetic¹

1630–40; < Medieval Latin hermēticus of, pertaining to Hermes Trismegistus, equivalent to Latin Hermē ( s ) Hermes + -ticus -tic

Word History and Origins

Origin of hermetic¹

see hermetic

Origin of hermetic²

C17: from Medieval Latin hermēticus belonging to Hermes Trismegistus , traditionally the inventor of a magic seal

Example Sentences

It bakes, it steams, it smokes, and, because all the dirt above it creates a kind of hermetic seal, it almost pressure-cooks, too.

From Outside Online

I fell prey to several episodes of anxiety on board that hermetic capsule.

From Washington Blade

Players and staff entered into a hermetic environment, shuttling between stadiums, training facilities and their homes.

From Washington Post

While teams settle into a hermetic routine, fans are hard at work on their brackets.

From Washington Post

The documents are extremely hermetic, using niche biotech-technical language.

From TechCrunch

We love to laugh at Kim and Company because it distracts our souls from the horrific reality of their hermetic regime.

From The Daily Beast

And Demme, by barely indicating the visual presence of the audience until the end, intensifies the closed-off, hermetic feeling.

From The Daily Beast

The government of Colombia decided to loan the 28,000 square meter fixer-upper to a fraternity of hermetic Benedictine monks.

From The Daily Beast

Here's how: The Secret Knowledge is a work of almost hermetic abstraction.

From The Daily Beast

Forsaking his safely hermetic life, William leaves Molly with neighbors to meet with a rebel group.

From The Daily Beast

This work of the learned Ben Hassan was written upon the subject of hermetic philosophy.

From Project Gutenberg

A few years ago, in a conversation with a shop-clerk, I happened to mention a lead coffin made hermetic with solder.

From Project Gutenberg

The hermetic philosopher required only the materials, and time, to perform his golden operations.

From Project Gutenberg

“The priests must be hiding the Hermetic wisdom on purpose,” said Lucius.

From Project Gutenberg

It is necessary to wet the skin in order that it may work properly and form a hermetic valve.

From Project Gutenberg