英文字典中文字典Word104.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Mystery \Mys"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Mysteries}. [OE. mistere, OF.
mestier, F. m['e]tier, L. ministerium. See {Ministry}.]
1. A trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one
is usually occupied.
[1913 Webster]

Fie upon him, he will discredit our mystery. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]

And that which is the noblest mystery
Brings to reproach and common infamy. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]

2. A dramatic representation of a Scriptural subject, often
some event in the life of Christ; a dramatic composition
of this character; as, the Chester Mysteries, consisting
of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city
in the early part of the 14th century.
[1913 Webster]

"Mystery plays," so called because acted by
craftsmen. --Skeat.
[1913 Webster] Mystic


Mystery \Mys"ter*y\ (m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[y^]), n.; pl. {Mysteries}
(m[i^]s"t[~e]r*[i^]z). [L. mysterium, Gr. mysth`rion, fr.
my`sths one initiated in mysteries; cf. myei^n to initiate
into the mysteries, fr. my`ein to shut the eyes. Cf. {Mute},
a.]
1. A profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something
kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting
curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can
not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is
beyond human comprehension.
[1913 Webster]

We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery. --1 Cor.
ii. 7.
[1913 Webster]

If God should please to reveal unto us this great
mystery of the 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.
[1913 Webster]

2. A kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were
admitted except those who had been initiated by certain
preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the
Eleusinian mysteries.
[1913 Webster]

3. pl. The consecrated elements in the eucharist.
[1913 Webster]

4. Anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.
[1913 Webster]