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mysterious

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
mys·te·ri·ous  (m-stîr-s)
adj.
1. Of, relating to, or being a mystery: mysterious and infinite truths.
2. Simultaneously arousing wonder and inquisitiveness, and eluding explanation or comprehension: a mysterious visitor; mysterious conduct.

[French mystérieux, from mystère, secret, from Latin mystrium; see mystery1.]

mys·teri·ous·ly adv.
mys·teri·ous·ness n.
Synonyms: mysterious, esoteric, arcane, occult, inscrutable
These adjectives mean beyond human power to explain or understand. Something mysterious arouses wonder and inquisitiveness: "The sea lies all about us.... In its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life" Rachel Carson.
What is esoteric is mysterious because only a select group knows and understands it: a compilation of esoteric philosophical essays.
Arcane applies to what is hidden from general knowledge: arcane economic theories.
Occult suggests knowledge reputedly gained only by secret, magical, or supernatural means: an occult rite.
Something that is inscrutable cannot be fathomed by means of investigation or scrutiny: "It is not for me to attempt to fathom the inscrutable workings of Providence" Earl of Birkenhead.

mysterious
Adjective
1. of unknown cause or nature: a mysterious illness
2. creating a feeling of strangeness, curiosity, or wonder: a fascinating and mysterious old woman
mysteriously adv
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.mysterious - of an obscure nature; "the new insurance policy is written without cryptic or mysterious terms"; "a deep dark secret"; "the inscrutable workings of Providence"; "in its mysterious past it encompasses all the dim origins of life"- Rachel Carson; "rituals totally mystifying to visitors from other lands"
incomprehensible, inexplicable - incapable of being explained or accounted for; "inexplicable errors"; "left the house at three in the morning for inexplicable reasons"
2.mysterious - having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding; "mysterious symbols"; "the mystical style of Blake"; "occult lore"; "the secret learning of the ancients"
esoteric - confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle; "a compilation of esoteric philosophical theories"

mysterious
Translations

mysterious [mɪsˈtɪərɪəs] adjmisterioso
mysterious [mɪsˈtɪərɪəs] adjmystérieux/euse
mysterious [mɪsˈtɪərɪəs] adjgeheimnisvoll, mysteriös
mysterious [mɪsˈtɪərɪəs] adjmisterioso/a

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
All the members of that family, especially the feminine half, were pictured by him, as it were, wrapped about with a mysterious poetical veil, and he not only perceived no defects whatever in them, but under the poetical veil that shrouded them he assumed the existence of the loftiest sentiments and every possible perfection.
It was hours later, in the very middle of the night, that one of God's mysterious messengers, gliding ahead of the incalculable host of his companions sweeping westward with the dawn line, pronounced the awakening word in the ear of the sleeper, who sat upright and spoke, he knew not why, a name, he knew not whose.
The year 1866 was signalised by a remarkable incident, a mysterious and puzzling phenomenon, which doubtless no one has yet forgotten.
 
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