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mysterious

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.01 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 [mɪˈstɪərɪəs]
adj
1. characterized by or indicative of mystery
2. puzzling, curious, or enigmatic
mysteriously  adv
mysteriousness  n

mysterious


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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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