Mys'ter-y, n.

n. [Lat. mysterium, Gr. μυστήριον, from μύστης, one initiated in mysteries, from μυεῖν, to initiate into the mysteries, fr. μύειν, to shut the eyes; It. misterio, mistero, Sp. misterio, Fr. mystère.] 1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension until explained.

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. 1 Cor. ii. 7.

If God should please to reveal unto us this great mystery of the Holy 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.

2Sense 2. Any thing artfully made difficult; an enigma.

3Sense 3. A trade; a calling; any mechanical occupation which supposes skill or knowledge peculiar to those who carry it on, and therefore a secret to others.

The word in this sense is perhaps corrupted from maistery, or mastery, q. v. “Mystery, anciently used for a particular art or skill in general, is a specious and easy corruption of maistery or mastery, the Eng. of the Lat. magisterium, or artificium; in Fr. maistrise, mestier, mestrie; and in It. magisteria.” T. Warton.

4Sense 4. A kind of rude drama, of a religious character;—so called because it represented the mysterious doctrines of Christianity, or its early miracles.

In the Bodleian Library at Oxford I met with two mysteries that . . . have not been mentioned; the subject of one is the conversion of St. Paul, and of the other, the casting out of the devils from Mary Magdalene. Strutt.

5Sense 5. (pl.) A kind of secret religious celebrations, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies.