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

Cueva de los Tayos, or the Cave of the Oilbirds, has for decades tantalized fans of the occult, who believe that it contains artifacts of a lost civilization and evidence of extraterrestrial visitors.

From Outside Online

Unfortunately, it also has a curse that makes its wielder prone to bloodshed — hence the sword’s ominous nature and why Blade, who comes with a wealth of knowledge about the occult and, umm, blades, would caution Dane against touching it.

From Vox

I have zero experience with the occult, unless you count having my fortune read at a local fair as a teenager growing up in Ohio.

From Outside Online

Crawbuck arrived with her fascination with history intact and proceeded to delve deeply into drinks history—especially the connection of alcohol with the occult.

From The Daily Beast

“Occult” literally means “hidden from view,” which is why we use it both in astronomy and to refer to secret knowledge.

From The Daily Beast

The people of Ponchatoula were also left wondering if the occult had anything to do with the crimes.

From The Daily Beast

The Nazi Party actually began as an occult fraternity, before it morphed into a political party.

From The Daily Beast

The figures lined his office in Vienna and then in London, adding to the vaguely occult atmosphere in his consulting room.

From The Daily Beast

One engineering school is even promoting a fascinating course on the relationship between the occult and technology.

From The Daily Beast

The Cardinal then hinted, that Wharton had vanished on some occult mission, to circumvent the Italian investiture.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Irvin has decided to consult a palmist or a hypnotist or some such occult authority before dining with you this evening.

From Project Gutenberg

Recognition of occult hemorrhage has its greatest value in diagnosis of gastric cancer and ulcer.

From Project Gutenberg

Superstitious and fatalistic, like so many superior men, she had no sincere belief except in occult sciences.

From Project Gutenberg

(b) That Pike has, however, in his lectures added occult matters from these occult Rites.

From Project Gutenberg