different between perplexing vs occult

English

Pronunciation

• (US) enPR: p?rpl?ks'?ng, IPA^(key): /p??pl?ks??/

Adjective

perplexing (comparative more perplexing, superlative most perplexing)

1. confusing or puzzling
2. bewildering

Translations

Verb

perplexing

1. present participle of perplex

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