Occult
oc·cult [əˈkəlt] n. Occult practices or techniques: a student of the occult. v. To conceal or cause to disappear from view. adj. Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena.
Synonyms: n: supernatural, v: eclipse, adj: mystic, orphic, mysterious, mystical, secret
Etymology: adj: 1530s, "secret, not divulged," from Middle French occulte and directly from Latin occultus "hidden, concealed, secret," past participle of occulere "cover over, conceal," from ob "over" (see ob-) + a verb related to celare "to hide," from PIE root *kel- "to hide" (see cell). Meaning "not apprehended by the mind, beyond the range of understanding" is from 1540s. The association with the supernatural sciences (magic, alchemy, astrology, etc.) dates from 1630s.
Isn't that one interesting? To be perfectly honest, I had no idea it could also be a verb.
We're over half way done now, and today is my day to post at the A to Z blog again. Please stop by and say hi!
On a more serious note, I'm posting at The Kindness Project as well today, reacting, in the only way I know how, to the tragedy that occurred in Boston on Monday. Don't feel obligated to read it, but if you have time, it might lift your spirits a little.
32 comments:
Well, you are just all over today!
Just found you from A to Z Blogging.
Great subject very well written.
Yvonne.
I've always found it to be an interesting subject. I don't think we can actually talk with the dead but it would be interesting to do so.
Dark Thoughts Blog
The supernatural and the occult - such a vast subject.
I love your word selections!
I've always been fascinated with the Occult!
Thanks for stopping by my blog... I'm off to check out your post on the Kindness Project and the A to Z blog now. Have a great day! :D
Suzy Turner, YA Author
Interesting evolution of the word. I never knew either.
I was going to say it reminds me of the French word . . . and then I read the rest of your post. (=
I didn't know the word could be used as a verb either!
A language person, I am impressed by your theme and presentation. I'll be back from time to time to learn where your qqqueries have taken you.
I didn't know it could be used as a verb either. Hmm...
Woah, no idea that it was a verb! Imma try using it now :D
Wonder how you'd use it the verb in a sentence.
I love books with a hint of occult or even a healthy dash :)
Movies on the occult or demons scare me the most.
How did I not find you before?!!! I love the dictionary (and Thesaurus) so will have to go back to April 1 and see what words you chose:)
I think you'r get funny looks from people if you said something like, "I will occult you."
Well Mr. Popularity, I didn't know the verb part either. Hmmph. Thanks for enlightening me, though ;-)
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
Occult as a verb...that gives me a few ideas. Mwhhaaa...
I didn't know the verb version of occult. You learn something knew everyday.
I wonder how it would be used in a sentence as a verb. He's occulting the house cat in the other room?
He occulted the corpse? Wow. Who knew it could be a verb. Good detective work, Matthew. Going to check out your Kindness Project post right now.
Interesting to read while I listen to "The Shadow".
I think it would be hard to use "occult" in its verb tense easily... people would look at you funny and then you'd have to explain it, so you might as well have not said it for the time you'd lose.
Still cool, though!
Lyre @ Lyre's Musings
Also, in reviewing the last several days words, I'm sensing a theme. :-)
Lyre @ Lyre's Musings
This one is very interesting. I didn't know it could be a verb either, and I didn't know it had the other meaning having to do with hiding something. Great stuff!
#atozchallenge, Kristen's blog: kristenhead.blogspot.com
So, the meaning of math is occulted to some people?
I don't think I'll be using this. But it's interesting.
atoz bopping
www.mainelywrite.blogspot.com
This makes me want to use occult as a verb right now, or at least in the near future.
Occult is such a cool word. I have always liked how it means hidden, but didn't know it could be used as a verb.
Yeah, "I will occult you with my invisibility cloak" has a nice ring to it.
Sounds like you're busy :D
cool word for "o." fascinating, even! great choice!
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