mystagogue

1 of 2

noun (1)

mys·​ta·​gogue ˈmi-stə-ˌgäg 

1

: one who initiates another into a mystery cult

2

: one who understands or teaches mystical doctrines

mystagogy

ˈmi-stə-ˌgä-jē 

-ˌgō-

noun

mystagogy

2 of 2

noun (2)

mys·​ta·​go·​gy -ˌgōjē 

plural -es

: the doctrines, principles, or practice of a mystagogue : interpretation of mysteries

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

borrowed from Latin mystagōgus "priest initiating people to sacred mysteries," borrowed from Greek mystagōgós "person instructing or sponsoring a candidate for initiation into religious mysteries," from mýstēs "person initiated into a religious cult" + -agōgos "impelling, leading" — more at mystic entry 1, -agogue

Noun (2)

Greek mystagōgia, from mystagōgein to initiate (from mystagōgos) + -ia -y

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1540, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for mystagogue

• analog
• analogue
• catalogue
• decalogue
• demagogue
• dialogue
• epilogue
• homologue
• monologue
• pedagogue
• synagogue
• tagalog