mysterious

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“
Fairly mysterious is the word hoosh-mi, from the royal family of England.

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Definitions (8)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (3)

  1. adjective Of, relating to, or being a mystery: mysterious and infinite truths.
  2. adjective Simultaneously arousing wonder and inquisitiveness, and eluding explanation or comprehension: a mysterious visitor; mysterious conduct.
  3. Syntax Note
    Synonyms: mysterious, esoteric, arcane, occult, inscrutable
    These adjectives mean beyond human power to explain or understand. Something mysterious arouses wonder and inquisitiveness: "The sea lies all about us.... In its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life” (Rachel Carson).
    What is esoteric is mysterious because only a select group knows and understands it: a compilation of esoteric philosophical essays.
    Arcane applies to what is hidden from general knowledge: arcane economic theories.
    Occult suggests knowledge reputedly gained only by secret, magical, or supernatural means: an occult rite.
    Something that is inscrutable cannot be fathomed by means of investigation or scrutiny: "It is not for me to attempt to fathom the inscrutable workings of Providence” (Earl of Birkenhead).

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Examples

  • Fairly mysterious is the word hoosh-mi, from the royal family of England. —  VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol 1 No 4
  • Here, then, is a singular thing: a brand-new sect, arising by popular acclamation, and a nonsense word invented for its name The design of mystery seems obvious, and according to a very intelligent observer, Mr. Magee of Mangareva, this element of the mysterious is a chief attraction of the Mormon Church. —  In the South Seas
  • G.P. L.], so mysterious, apparently so poor, yet so powerful! —  Sketches and Studies
  • The design of mystery seems obvious, and according to a very intelligent observer, Mr. Magee of Mangareva, this element of the mysterious is a chief attraction of the Mormon Church. —  In the South Seas
  • I am your kind of flesh, whatever that means. —  The Boat of a Million Years
 

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Mysterious has been looked up 490 times, favorited 0 times, listed 19 times, and commented on twice.

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Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

new ·  terrible ·  wonderful ·  magical
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. French mystérieux, from mystère, secret, from Latin mystērium; see mystery1.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Formerly also misterious; = French mystérieux = Spanish misterioso = Portuguese mysterioso = Italian misterioso, full of mystery, from Latin mysterium, mystery: see mystery.
 

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/mɪsˈtirɪəs/
by American Heritage

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