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occult

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oc⋅cult

[uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt]
–adjective
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)
a. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
b. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
c. dealing with such qualities; experimental: occult science.
6. Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible: a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.
–noun
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).
–verb (used with object)
9. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
10. Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.
–verb (used without object)
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 cēlāre to conceal + -tus ptp. suffix


oc⋅cult⋅er, noun
oc⋅cult⋅ly, adverb
oc⋅cult⋅ness, noun


2. metaphysical, supernatural. 3. concealed, unrevealed; veiled, shrouded; mystical, cabalistic.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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Occult & Pagan Stuff
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www.calastrology.com
oc·cult   (ə-kŭlt', ŏk'ŭlt')   
adj.  
  1. Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.

  2. Beyond the realm of human comprehension; inscrutable.

  3. Available only to the initiate; secret: occult lore. See Synonyms at mysterious.

  4. Hidden from view; concealed.

    1. Medicine Detectable only by microscopic examination or chemical analysis, as a minute blood sample.

    2. Not accompanied by readily detectable signs or symptoms: occult carcinoma.

n.  Occult practices or techniques: a student of the occult.
v.   (ə-kŭlt') oc·cult·ed, oc·cult·ing, oc·cults

v.   tr.
  1. To conceal or cause to disappear from view.

  2. Astronomy To conceal by occultation: The moon occulted Mars.

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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: oc·cult
Pronunciation: &-'k<, 'äk-"<
Function: adjective
: not manifest or detectable by clinical methods alone<occult carcinoma>; also : not present in macroscopic amounts <occult blood in a stool specimen> occult blood testing> —compare GROSS 1b
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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occult oc·cult (ə-kŭlt', ŏk'ŭlt')
adj.

  1. Hidden; concealed.

  2. Detectable only by microscopic examination or chemical analysis.

  3. 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.
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