different between mysterious vs mystic

English

Etymology

From Middle French mystérieux.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -??ri?s
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /m??st???i.?s/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /m??st??i.?s/

Adjective

mysterious (comparative more mysterious, superlative most mysterious)

1. Of unknown origin.

   Synonym: untraceable

2. Having unknown qualities.

   Synonyms: esoteric, uncertain, undefined; see also Thesaurus:mysterious

   Hyponyms: anonymous, faceless, unexplored, unnamed, long-mysterious
3. Difficult to understand.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:incomprehensible

4. Deliberately evasive or enigmatic.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:covert

Derived terms

• mysteriously
• mysteriousness

Related terms

• mystery

Translations

English

Alternative forms

• mystick (archaic)
• mystical (adjective)

Etymology

From Old French mistique, from Latin mysticus, from Ancient Greek ???????? (mustikós, “secret, mystic”), from ?????? (múst?s, “one who has been initiated”). Doublet of mystique.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?st?k/
• Rhymes: -?st?k

Adjective

mystic (comparative more mystic, superlative most mystic)

1. Of, or relating to mystics, mysticism or occult mysteries; mystical.

   a mystic dance

2. Mysterious and strange; arcane, obscure or enigmatic.
   • 1842, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Threnody

     Heaven's numerous hierarchy span / The mystic gulf from God to man.

Translations

Noun

mystic (plural mystics)

1. Someone who practices mysticism.

Translations

Related terms

• mysterious
• mystery
• mystical
• mysticism
• mystify
• mystique

References

• mystic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “mystic”, in Online Etymology Dictionary
• mystic in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• mystic at OneLook Dictionary Search