Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to mysticism: Pertaining to or characteristic of spiritual practices or experiences that seek direct communion with, or understanding of, the divine, ultimate reality, or spiritual truth.
   • Having a hidden or symbolic meaning: Possessing a significance that is not immediately apparent to the senses or intellect; mysterious, esoteric, or occult.

2. Noun:

   • A practitioner or believer in mysticism: A person who seeks or believes in the possibility of attaining knowledge of spiritual truths through direct experience, intuition, or insight, beyond the limits of ordinary human comprehension.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The ancient text contained mystic symbols that few could interpret.
  • She had a mystic experience during her meditation, feeling a profound connection to the universe.
  • The poet's work is known for its mystic quality, exploring themes beyond the material world.

• Noun:

  • The mystic spent years in solitude, contemplating the nature of existence.
  • In many traditions, a mystic is seen as someone with direct access to spiritual wisdom.

Advanced Usage

• "the mystic": Used to refer to the abstract concept or tradition of mysticism itself.

  • He was deeply drawn to the mystic, seeking answers outside conventional religion.

• Mystic as attributive noun: The noun form can be used adjectivally before another noun.

  • They followed the mystic path to enlightenment. (Here, "mystic" functions like an adjective modifying "path").

Variants and Related Words

• Mystical (adjective): This is a common variant of the adjective form, often used interchangeably with "mystic."
  • She was interested in mystical experiences.
• Mysticism (noun): The beliefs, ideas, or practices associated with mystics.
  • The study of Eastern mysticism.
• Mystique (noun): An aura of mystery, awe, and power surrounding someone or something.
  • The old castle had a certain mystique.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Mysterious, esoteric, occult, arcane, transcendental, numinous.
• Noun: Seer, visionary, sage, spiritualist.

Related Phrases

• Mystic union: A term in theology and mysticism for the soul's union with the divine.
  • The goal of her practice was to achieve mystic union.
• Mystic revelation: Knowledge or insight believed to be revealed through direct spiritual experience.
  • The prophecy was said to come from a mystic revelation.

Related Idioms

• Veil of the mystic: Refers to the hidden or incomprehensible nature of spiritual truths.
  • His writings attempted to pierce the veil of the mystic.

Adjective

1. relating to or characteristic of mysticism
   • mystical religion
2. relating to or resembling mysticism
   • mystical intuition
   • mystical theories about the securities market
3. 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

Noun

1. someone who believes in the existence of realities beyond human comprehension