different between mystical vs occult

English

Alternative forms

• mysticall (obsolete)
• mystickal (obsolete)

Etymology

From mystic +? -al

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?st?k?l/, /?m?st?kl?/

Adjective

mystical (comparative more mystical, superlative most mystical)

1. Relating to mystics or mysticism.
2. Having a spiritual or magical significance that transcends human understanding.
3. Inspiring a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination.

Related terms

• mysterious
• mystery
• mystic
• mysticality
• mysticalness
• mysticism
• mystify
• mystique

Translations

Further reading

• mystical in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin occultus (“hidden, secret”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??k.?lt/, /??k?lt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??k?lt/
• Rhymes: -?lt

Verb

occult (third-person singular simple present occults, present participle occulting, simple past and past participle occulted)

1. (transitive, astronomy) To cover or hide from view.

   The Earth occults the Moon during a lunar eclipse.

2. (transitive, rare) To dissimulate, conceal, or obfuscate.

Translations

Adjective

occult (comparative more occult, superlative most occult)

2. (medicine) Secret; hidden from general knowledge; undetected.
3. Related to the occult; pertaining to mysticism, magic, or astrology.
4. Esoteric.

   • Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."

Derived terms

• occult line

Translations

Noun

occult (uncountable)

1. (usually with "the") Supernatural affairs.

Translations

Related terms

• occultation
• occultive