mystic

1 of 2

adjective

mys·​tic ˈmi-stik How to pronounce mystic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to mysteries or esoteric rites : occult
3
: of or relating to mysticism or mystics
4
c
: inducing a feeling of awe or wonder
d
: having magical properties

mystic

2 of 2

noun

1
: a follower of a mystical way of life
2
: an advocate of a theory of mysticism

Examples of mystic in a Sentence

Adjective She had a mystic vision while praying. the notion that a cat has nine lives is based upon the belief that nine is a mystic number
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The new film hits theaters March 1. 01 of 16 Kyle MacLachlan and Timothee Chalamet as Paul Atreides Playing the main character in Dune and Dune: Part Two is Timothée Chalamet, who takes over the role of Paul Atreides — a charismatic warrior and mystic. Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Thankfully, the material at hand is inherently juicy, but its leads tap into a kind of deep, mystic energy accessible only by two bright stars from a bygone era finding each other on our screens at just the right time in their respective careers. Ew Staff, EW.com, 4 Sep. 2023 In Orion Township, the idyllic Canterbury Village at 2325 Jocelyn Court is hiding the virtual mystic creatures between its vibrant-colored houses. Detroit Free Press, 1 Mar. 2024 Dune: Part Two picks up right where the previous film left off, with Paul (played by Timothée Chalamet) and his mystic mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), joining a group of guerrilla warriors called the Fremen in the arid landscape of Arrakis. David Sims, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2024 And unless Dre Greenlaw embraces Aaron Rodgers’ plan and floats into the mystic, he cannot be counted upon for the 2024 season. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2024 They are met by a worthy supporting cast, including John Hawkes as Danvers' uncooperative deputy, Fiona Shaw as a mystic wild woman and friend of Navarro, and Finn Bennett as an up-and-coming officer under Danvers' wing. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024 This album is inspired by the timeless, eerie, mystic, striking, graceful and sensual allure of the orchid. Thania Garcia, Variety, 11 Jan. 2024 In bed, Cyrus conducts conversations with various famous figures, from the Sufi mystic Rumi to Lisa Simpson to Donald Trump. Mark Athitakis, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2024
Noun
Now, Terce will reimagine the 9 a.m. mass, turning it into an ecstatic contemplation of the divine feminine, inspired by the writings of women mystics and sung by a communal choir of more than 30 caregivers. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 4 Jan. 2024 The final dance is based on a poem by the medieval North Indian mystic Kabir about death freeing the soul from the confines of life. Jennifer Homans, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2024 The Spanish Gothic-style rooftop crown, a beacon — summoning mavericks, mystics, sun-seekers and four-on-the-floor dancers. Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2023 In the film, Teresa, a Carmelite nun, reformer, and mystic of the Roman Catholic Church, has been ostracized for her beliefs. Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Oct. 2023 The horror genre — like any other — has its stock characters: the creepy child, the father-on-the-edge, the wise mystic. Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 12 July 2023 But his lay order is a deliberate hodgepodge of the ideas Duncan has studied for much of his life: the works of 14th century German mystic Meister Eckhart; the Japanese Buddhist Eihei Dogen; the sacred Vedas of India. Maggie Neal Doherty, Los Angeles Times, 8 Aug. 2023 Still — unsavory inhabitants notwithstanding — the arid, sandy swaths of the American Southwest have attracted generations of artists, mystics, hippies and cowboys. Caitie Kelly, New York Times, 5 June 2023 Even within the rabbinic tradition, there were regular disagreements: between mystics and rationalists, for example; debates over people claiming to be the messiah; and differences in customs between regions, from medieval Spain to Poland to Yemen. Joshua Shanes, Fortune, 19 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mystic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English mystyke "open to symbolic or spiritual interpretation," borrowed from Latin mysticus "of secret rites, secret," borrowed from Greek mystikós, from mýstēs "person initiated (into a religious cult)" (probably from mys-, variant stem of mȳ́ein "to close, shut [the eyes]"—of uncertain origin— + -tēs, agent suffix) + ikos -ic entry 1

Noun

probably derivative of mystic entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mystic was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near mystic

Cite this Entry

“Mystic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mystic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mystic

1 of 2 adjective
mys·​tic ˈmis-tik How to pronounce mystic (audio)
1
2
: of or relating to magic : occult
3

mystic

2 of 2 noun
: a person who seeks direct knowledge of God through meditation and prayer

Geographical Definition

Mystic

geographical name

Mys·​tic ˈmi-stik How to pronounce Mystic (audio)
river in eastern Massachusetts flowing southeast into Boston Harbor

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