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. See mystical
   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

Then head southeast through the timelessly charming seaside town of Mystic for sunset views at Rhode Island’s Napatree Point Conservation Area.

From Outside Online

It was based on experiments that were not reproducible and definitely strayed from science into the mystic.

From Nautilus

Dressing as a man allowed her to bunk with soldiers, travel freely and party with mystics.

From Ozy

In the 18th century, a Swedish mystic named Emanuel Swedenborg proposed a different idea.

From Science News For Students

Jimetta Rose is truly a mystic diva and her moving imagery from honoring the elders to all we’ve lost due to police brutality is an original testament of pain and wonder over a boss Afrocentric house track remix by Brother Osunlade.

From Essence.com

According to Campbell, every hero encounters a wise mystic who helps him embrace his destiny.

From The Daily Beast

At Temple, Coltrane no longer operated as a jazz artist improvising melodies, but more like a mystic on a vision quest.

From The Daily Beast

The other night, quite by chance, I came across some lines in Rumi, the 13th-century poet—a Sufi mystic from Persia.

From The Daily Beast

Then bed down in the seaside town of Mystic, Connecticut, with views of the wharf from your private room at the Steamboat Inn.

From The Daily Beast

And finally, he went up a mountain with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, guru to the stars, and came down again a convinced mystic.

From The Daily Beast

The remarkable thing was that all the hurrying people she met seemed also each of them to be on a secret and mystic errand.

From Project Gutenberg

The moon was coming up, and its mystic shimmer was casting a million lights across the distant, restless water.

From Project Gutenberg

But some one, perhaps it was Robert, thought of a bath at that mystic hour and under that mystic moon.

From Project Gutenberg

Realm of enchantment, break your mystic spell, Land of the lotus, smiling land farewell!

From Project Gutenberg

Her face wore an expression of mystic rapture like that characterizing the features of some Chinese Buddhas.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• mystical
• otherworldly
• supernatural