mystery 1
/mis"teuh ree, -tree/ , n. , pl. mysteries .
1. anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown: the mysteries of nature.
2. any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation: The masked guest is an absolute mystery to everyone.
3. a novel, short story, play, or film whose plot involves a crime or other event that remains puzzlingly unsettled until the very end: a mystery by Agatha Christie.
4. obscure, puzzling, or mysterious quality or character: the mystery of Mona Lisa's smile.
5. any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation.
6. (in the Christian religion)
a. a sacramental rite.
b. the Eucharist.
7. an incident or scene in connection with the life of Christ, regarded as of special significance: the mysteries of the Passion.
8. any of the 15 events in the lives of Christ and the Virgin Mary meditated upon during the recitation of the rosary.
9. mysteries ,
a. ancient religions that admitted candidates by secret rites and rituals the meaning of which was known only to initiated worshipers.
b. any rites or secrets known only to those initiated: the mysteries of Freemasonry.
c. (in the Christian religion) the Eucharistic elements.
10. See mystery play .
[ 1275-1325; ME mysterie mysterium mystérion, equiv. to mýs ( tes ) (see MYSTIC) + - terion n. suffix ]
Syn. 4. puzzle, problem, secret, riddle.
mystery 2
/mis"teuh ree/ , n. , pl. mysteries . Archaic.
1. a craft or trade.
2. a guild, as of merchants.
[ 1325-75; ME mistery misterium, var. of L ministerium MINISTRY ]