mystery

¹

[ mis-tuh-ree, -tree ]

noun

, plural mys·ter·ies.

1. anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown:

   the mysteries of nature.

2. any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation:

   The masked guest is an absolute mystery to everyone.

3. a novel, short story, play, or film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled until the very end:

   a mystery by Agatha Christie.

4. obscure, puzzling, or mysterious quality or character:

   the mystery of Mona Lisa's smile.

   Synonyms: secrecy, mystique, obscurity, ambiguity, riddle, secret, problem, puzzle, enigma

5. any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation.
6. (in the Christian religion)
   1. a sacramental rite.
   2. Eucharist ( def 1 ).
7. an incident or scene in connection with the life of Christ, regarded as of special significance:

   the mysteries of the Passion.

8. any of the 15 events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary meditated upon during the recitation of the rosary.
9. mysteries,
   1. ancient religions that admitted candidates by secret rites and rituals the meaning of which was known only to initiated worshipers.
   2. any rites or secrets known only to those initiated:

      the mysteries of Freemasonry.

   3. (in the Christian religion) the Eucharistic elements.
10. mystery play.

mystery

²

[ mis-tuh-ree ]

noun

, Archaic.

, plural mys·ter·ies.

1. a craft or trade.
2. a guild, as of merchants.

mystery

¹

/ ˈmɪstərɪ; -trɪ /

noun

1. an unexplained or inexplicable event, phenomenon, etc
2. a person or thing that arouses curiosity or suspense because of an unknown, obscure, or enigmatic quality
3. the state or quality of being obscure, inexplicable, or enigmatic
4. a story, film, etc, which arouses suspense and curiosity because of facts concealed
5. Christianity any truth that is divinely revealed but otherwise unknowable
6. Christianity a sacramental rite, such as the Eucharist, or ( when plural ) the consecrated elements of the Eucharist
7. often plural any of various rites of certain ancient Mediterranean religions
8. short for mystery play

mystery

²

/ ˈmɪstərɪ /

noun

1. a trade, occupation, or craft
2. a guild of craftsmen

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystery¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English misteri(e), from Latin mystērium “a secret,” (plural) mystēria “secret rites,” from Greek mystḗrion, equivalent to mýs(tēs) “an initiate (into the Eleusinian mysteries)” + -tērion noun suffix; mystic )

Origin of mystery²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English misteri(e) “ministry, office; handicraft, art; guild” from Old French mistere and Medieval Latin misterium, variant of Latin ministerium ministry, confused with mystērium mystery ¹( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of mystery¹

C14: via Latin from Greek mustērion secret rites. See mystic

Origin of mystery²

C14: from Medieval Latin mistērium, from Latin ministerium occupation, from minister official

Example Sentences

The mystery as to why a beluga whale appeared off the coast of Norway wearing a harness may finally have been solved.

From BBC

A newly published copy of his death certificate dispels much of the mystery: According to that document, Valenzuela’s underlying cause of death was possibly related to a liver disease and liver failure.

From Los Angeles Times

“The whole question of how to better insulate the house is a real mystery to me,” says Mr Duffy, a director of sustainability think-tank Citizen Network.

From BBC

But one thing that always remained a mystery was what happened to his cousin Fred Stredder during the war, after they met by chance in a café in Egypt on their way to fight.

From BBC

“Great Gold Bird,” a theatrical mystery that touches on love and grief, turns audience members into participants who must travel from Arlington Heights to Los Feliz.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conundrum
• enigma
• problem
• question
• riddle
• secrecy
• subtlety
• thriller