Occults

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

  1. Activities involving hidden or secret knowledge are typically linked to mystical beliefs and practices
  2. Various mystical traditions engage in rituals and doctrines centered around concealed spiritual concepts
  3. Practices related to secret knowledge often deal with mystical beliefs and spiritual rituals that focus on the hidden aspects of existence

Etymology: The verb form of this word traces back to the Latin adjective "occultus," which means "hidden" or "secret." This root itself derives from the verb "occulere," meaning "to cover up" or "to hide," composed of the prefix "ob-" (meaning "over" or "against") and "celare" (meaning "to hide"). The sense of concealment is therefore embedded deeply in the word’s origins, emphasizing something deliberately kept out of sight or knowledge. In English, the noun "occult" first appeared in the 15th century, referring broadly to secret or hidden knowledge, especially of a mystical or supernatural nature. The verb form emerged later, probably in the 17th or 18th century, as English speakers began to use the root to describe the action of hiding or keeping something secret, particularly in contexts involving mystical or esoteric practices. Unlike many verbs that evolve from everyday actions, this one carries a sense of deliberate concealment tied to mysterious or arcane matters. Over time, the verb came to be associated less with physical hiding and more with the figurative act of obscuring knowledge or truths, especially those believed to be beyond normal human understanding. This shift reflects broader cultural fascinations with secret wisdom, alchemy, and later, occult sciences. While the noun has become more common in discussions of mysticism and the supernatural, the verb form remains relatively rare, used mainly in literary or specialized contexts to evoke a sense of secrecy and hidden power. The journey from a simple Latin word meaning "hidden" to an English verb that connotes the act of concealing secret truths reveals how language can carry forward layers of meaning, coloring words with cultural and historical significance beyond their basic definitions.

Synonyms: esoterics, mysticism

Antonyms: exoterics, reality