mystery
/ˈmɪst(ə)ri/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
mysterion — secret rite or doctrine
Overview
Meaning Now
- Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
- A religious truth that is beyond human reason.
- A genre of literature or film featuring a crime or puzzle to be solved.
Literal older meaning
initiation, secret rite
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
mysterie
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The spelling 'mistery' was historically a conflation of two distinct Middle English words: 'mystery' (from Latin mysterium) and 'mistery' (from Old French mestier, meaning a craft, trade, or guild). By the 17th century, the spellings began to be standardized, with 'mystery' reserved for secrets and 'mystery' (in the sense of a trade) eventually dropping out of common use except in the context of 'mystery plays'.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
mysterion
“secret rite”
From myein (to close, shut the eyes or mouth).
- Late Latin
mysterium
“secret, mystery”
- Old French
mystere
“secret”
- Middle English
mysterie
“secret, religious mystery”
Confused for a time with 'mistery' meaning craft or trade.
Connections
Word parts
myst-
root
secret/close
-ery
suffix
suffix forming nouns of state or condition
Related across languages
French
mystère
mystery
German
Mysterium
mystery
Explore next
Related to mystery
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.