23 April 2017

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.
3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
4. hidden from view.
5. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
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
7. the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually preceded by the).
8. occult studies or sciences (usually preceded by the).
verb (used with object)
9. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
10. Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.
verb (used without object)
11. to become hidden or shut off from view.

Origin of occult
Latin
1520-1530; Latin occultus (past participle of occulere to hide from view, cover up), equivalent to oc- oc- + -cul-, akin to cēlāre to conceal + -tus past participle suffix

Related forms

occulter, noun
occultly, adverb
occultness, noun
nonoccult, adjective
nonocculting, adjective

Synonyms

2. metaphysical, supernatural. 3. concealed, unrevealed; veiled, shrouded; mystical, cabalistic.

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for occult

Contemporary Examples

“ occult ” literally means “hidden from view,” which is why we use it both in astronomy and to refer to secret knowledge.
Chariklo, a Minor Planet Nicknamed a “Centaur,” Discovered to Have Rings
Matthew R. Francis
April 5, 2014

One engineering school is even promoting a fascinating course on the relationship between the occult and technology.
Fall’s Hottest College Courses
Josh Dzieza, Daniel D’Addario
September 5, 2010

Today’s quote

Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure.

– Petrarch

On this day

23 April 1564 – birth of William Shakespeare, the Bard. English poet and playwright.

23 April 1616 – death of William Shakespeare, the Bard. English poet and playwright. Shakespeare invented more than 1700 words which are now in common use. He changed nouns into verbs, verbs into adjectives and joining words that normally wouldn’t be joined.

23 April 1928 – birth of Shirley Temple, American actress, singer, dancer and former U.S. ambassador to Ghana and Czechoslovakia. Died 10 February 2014.