mysteries

2 definitions found

mysteries - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Mystery \Mys"ter*y\, n.; pl. Mysteries. [OE. mistere, OF.
     mestier, F. m['e]tier, L. ministerium. See Ministry.]
     1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one
        is usually occupied.
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              Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. --Shak.
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              And that which is the noblest mystery
              Brings to reproach and common infamy. --Spenser.
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     2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often
        some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition
        of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting
        of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city
        in the early part of the 14th century.
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              "Mystery plays," so called because acted by
              craftsmen.                            --Skeat.
        [1913 Webster] Mystic

  Mystery \Mys"ter*y\ (m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[y^]), n.; pl. Mysteries
     (m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[i^]z). [L. mysterium, Gr. mysth`rion, fr.
     my`sths one initiated in mysteries; cf. myei^n to initiate
     into the mysteries, fr. my`ein to shut the eyes. Cf. Mute,
     a.]
     1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something
        kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting
        curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can
        not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is
        beyond human comprehension.
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              We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. --1 Cor.
                                                    ii. 7.
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              If God should please to reveal unto us this great
              mystery of the Trinity, or some other mysteries in
              our holy religion, we should not be able to
              understand them, unless he would bestow on us some
              new faculties of the mind.            --Swift.
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     2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were
        admitted except those who had been initiated by certain
        preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the
        Eleusinian mysteries.
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     3. pl. The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
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     4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
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