mysterium Latin · revision 7635

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=Accius|origins=grc μυστήριον}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''mystērium''' ''n'' (genitive mystēriī or mystērī); second declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|μυστήριον|tr=mustḗrion|t=secret rite]], from [[m|grc|μύστης|tr=mústēs|t=initiate]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Köbler 2010) It is mostly plural, and is also spelled ⟨mistērium⟩.^(OLD 2012)^(Gaffiot 2016)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Accius, of secret rites.^(OLD 2012) Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant secret religious rites open only to initiates, the mysteries, as of Ceres at Eleusis in Cicero.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) In Cicero it also meant secrets that must not be told.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''arcāna'' are secrets by their own nature, to be spoken of with awe.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant a mystery, secret knowledge.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a hidden thing and the secret of God's plan, redemption.^(Niermeyer 1976) Anglo-French and Old French ''mistere'' gave [[en|mystery]] in the early 14th century, of revealed religious truth, and [[en|mysterious]] in the 1610s.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of secret rites.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of the Eleusinian mysteries and of secrets.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 14th century – English ''mystery'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Secret rites, [[m|en|mystery|alt=mysteries]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # Secrets.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A religious mystery.^(Stelten 1995)^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mysterius]]

+ * [[mysticus]]

+ * [[en|mystery]]

+ * [[en|mysterious]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}