occult
occult Lexical Profile
occult Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, involving, or characteristic of mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena.
"The historian specialized in the study of occult traditions and alchemy during the Renaissance."
Beyond the range of ordinary human knowledge or understanding; communicated only to the initiated.
"The manuscript was filled with occult symbols that only a few scholars could decipher."
Not accompanied by readily discernible clinical signs or symptoms, or detectable only by microscopic or chemical tests (in medicine).
"The physician ordered a laboratory screening to check for occult blood in the patient's sample."
• noun
Mystical, supernatural, or magical powers, practices, or phenomena considered collectively (usually preceded by 'the').
"Her fascination with the occult led her to collect rare nineteenth-century books on spiritualism and tarot."
• verb
To cut off from view by interposing something between an observer and a celestial body or other object.
"During the astronomical event, the moon will briefly occult Aldebaran in the night sky."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun meaning supernatural beliefs or practices, 'occult' is almost exclusively preceded by the definite article ('the occult'). In medical contexts, however, the adjective simply means 'hidden from routine view' (such as occult blood) and carries no supernatural connotation.
• Rhymes for occult
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 15th century from Latin occultus ('hidden, concealed, secret'), the past participle of occulere ('to cover over, conceal'), formed from ob- ('over') and a root related to celare ('to hide').