Antonyms for mystery


Grammar : Noun
Spell : mis-tuh-ree, -tree
Phonetic Transcription : ˈmɪs tə ri, -tri


Definition of mystery

Origin :
  • early 14c., in a theological sense, "religious truth via divine revelation, hidden spiritual significance, mystical truth," from Anglo-French *misterie, Old French mistere "secret, mystery, hidden meaning" (Modern French mystère), from Latin mysterium "secret rite, secret worship; a secret thing," from Greek mysterion (usually in plural mysteria) "secret rite or doctrine," from mystes "one who has been initiated," from myein "to close, shut" (see mute (adj.)); perhaps referring to the lips (in secrecy) or to the eyes (only initiates were allowed to see the sacred rites).
  • The Greek word was used in Septuagint for "secret counsel of God," translated in Vulgate as sacramentum. Non-theological use in English, "a hidden or secret thing," is from late 14c. In reference to the ancient rites of Greece, Egypt, etc. it is attested from 1640s. Meaning "detective story" first recorded in English 1908.
  • noun puzzle, secret
Example sentences :
  • "Marvellous, indeed, is the mystery of our being," exclaimed Anaxagoras.
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • From that day the fate of Leichardt and his companions has been involved in mystery.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • It is the old land of mystery and wonder which the Greeks called Mesopotamia.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • The difference too is radical; it goes to the heart of the mystery.
  • Extract from : « 'Tis Sixty Years Since » by Charles Francis Adams
  • Will Nature teach them the mystery of a plate of turtle-soup?
  • Extract from : « The New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses From An Old Manse") » by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Like a sentinel on that solitary plain it overwhelms me with a sense of mystery.
  • Extract from : « Ballads of a Bohemian » by Robert W. Service
  • What is mystery for one age is not of necessity mystery for another.
  • Extract from : « The Conquest of Fear » by Basil King
  • But the mystery was to remain unsolved, since Gilder now entered the office.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • She felt that this mystery held in it something sinister to herself.
  • Extract from : « Within the Law » by Marvin Dana
  • He breakfasted at Mrs. McKee's, and was initiated into the mystery of the ticket punch.
  • Extract from : « K » by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Synonyms for mystery

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019