occult
7 dictionary results for: Occult
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
oc·cult 
[uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt] Pronunciation Key –adjective
–noun
–verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies. |
| 2. | beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious. |
| 3. | secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated. |
| 4. | hidden from view. |
| 5. | (in early science)
|
| 6. | Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible: a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool. |
| 7. | the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually prec. by the). |
| 8. | occult studies or sciences (usually prec. by the). |
| 9. | to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide. |
| 10. | Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation. |
| 11. | to become hidden or shut off from view. |
[Origin: 1520–30; < L occultus (ptp. of occulere to hide from view, cover up), equiv. to oc- oc- + -cul-, akin to célāre to conceal + -tus ptp. suffix]
] —Related forms
oc·cult·er, noun
oc·cult·ly, adverb
oc·cult·ness, noun
—Synonyms 2. metaphysical, supernatural. 3. concealed, unrevealed; veiled, shrouded; mystical, cabalistic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| oc·cult
(ə-kŭlt', ŏk'ŭlt') Pronunciation Key
adj.
n. Occult practices or techniques: a student of the occult. v. (ə-kŭlt') oc·cult·ed, oc·cult·ing, oc·cults v. tr.
v. intr. To become concealed or extinguished at regular intervals: a lighthouse beacon that occults every 45 seconds. [Latin occultus, secret, past participle of occulere, to cover over; see kel-1 in Indo-European roots.] oc·cult'ly adv., oc·cult'ness n. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
occult
occult
1533, "secret, not divulged," from L. occultus "hidden, concealed, secret," pp. of occulere "cover over, conceal," from ob "over" + a verb related to celare "to hide," from PIE base *kel- (see cell). Meaning "not apprehended by the mind, beyond the range of understanding" is from 1545. The association with the supernatural sciences (magic, alchemy, astrology, etc.) dates from 1633.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| occult | |
adjective | |
| 1. | hidden and difficult to see; "an occult fracture"; "occult blood in the stool" |
| 2. | having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding; "mysterious symbols"; "the mystical style of Blake"; "occult lore"; "the secret learning of the ancients" [syn: mysterious] |
noun | |
| 1. | supernatural forces and events and beings collectively; "She doesn't believe in the supernatural" [syn: supernatural] |
| 2. | supernatural practices and techniques; "he is a student of the occult" |
verb | |
| 1. | cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention; "The Sun eclipses the moon today"; "Planets and stars often are occulted by other celestial bodies" [syn: eclipse] |
| 2. | become concealed or hidden from view or have its light extinguished; "The beam of light occults every so often" |
| 3. | hide from view; "The lids were occulting her eyes" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
occult oc·cult (ə-kŭlt', ŏk'ŭlt')
adj.
- Hidden; concealed.
- Detectable only by microscopic examination or chemical analysis.
- Not accompanied by readily detectable signs or symptoms.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Occult
Oc*cult"\, a. [L. occultus, p. p. of occulere to cover up, hide; ob (see Ob-) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf. F. occulte.] Hidden from the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret; concealed; unknown. It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its advances as to escape observation. --I. Taylor. Occult line (Geom.), a line drawn as a part of the construction of a figure or problem, but not to appear in the finished plan. Occult qualities, those qualities whose effects only were observed, but the nature and relations of whose productive agencies were undetermined; -- so called by the schoolmen. Occult sciences, those sciences of the Middle Ages which related to the supposed action or influence of occult qualities, or supernatural powers, as alchemy, magic, necromancy, and astrology.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Occult
Oc*cult"\, v. t. To eclipse; to hide from sight.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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