mystery etymology

Etymology

The word "mystery" comes from the Late Latin word "mysterium", which in turn comes from the Greek word "mystērion". The Greek word originally referred to the secret religious rites of the ancient mystery cults.

Meaning

The word "mystery" has several meanings, including:

• Something that is secret or unexplained
• A religious truth that is believed to be beyond human understanding
• A problem or puzzle that is difficult to solve
• A sense of awe or wonder

Origin

The mystery cults were widespread in the ancient world, and they originated in the Middle East. The most famous of these cults was the Eleusinian Mysteries, which were held in Eleusis, Greece. The initiates of these cults underwent a series of rituals and ceremonies, which were believed to provide them with secret knowledge and a connection to the divine.

The mystery cults had a profound influence on the development of Christianity. The early Christians adopted some of the rituals and beliefs of these cults, and they used the word "mystery" to refer to the hidden truths of their faith.

The word "mystery" has been used in English since the 13th century. It is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of things, from the most sacred religious truths to the most baffling puzzles.

mystery relate terms

• ministry

  Etymology The word ministry comes from the Latin word ministerium which means serv

• minister

  Etymology The word minister is derived from the Latin word minister which means at

• mute

  Etymology The word mute comes from the Latin word mutus which means dumb or unabl

• mysterious

  Etymology The word mysterious comes from the Latin word mysteriosus which in turn is

• mystic

  Etymology The word mystic is derived from the Greek word mystikos meaning secret

• sacrament

  Etymology The word sacrament is derived from the Latin word sacramentum which origin

• privacy

  Etymology The term privacy originates from the Latin word privatus which means sep

• interlude

  Etymology French interlude Latin interludium inter between within ludere

• rune

  Etymology and Origin of Rune The word rune is derived from the Proto Germanic word r

• Babylon

  Etymology The word Babylon is derived from the Akkadian word Babilu or Bab ili

• secret

  Etymology of Secret Old French seceret Latin secretum something kept back Proto

• resect

  Etymology First used in the 16th century Derived from the Latin word resectus which

• enigma

  Etymology The word enigma comes from the Greek word αἴνιγμα ainigma meaning