Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A to Z Challenge 2013: O - Occult

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:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Well, you are just all over today!

Anonymous said...

Just found you from A to Z Blogging.
Great subject very well written.

Yvonne.

Mary Kirkland said...

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

Sally said...

The supernatural and the occult - such a vast subject.

Unknown said...

I love your word selections!

Suzy, The Grey Brunette said...

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

farawayeyes said...

Interesting evolution of the word. I never knew either.

Elise Fallson said...

I was going to say it reminds me of the French word . . . and then I read the rest of your post. (=

mshatch said...

I didn't know the word could be used as a verb either!

Dennis said...

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.

Mina Burrows said...

I didn't know it could be used as a verb either. Hmm...

SC Author said...

Woah, no idea that it was a verb! Imma try using it now :D

Nancy Thompson said...

Wonder how you'd use it the verb in a sentence.

Johanna Garth said...

I love books with a hint of occult or even a healthy dash :)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Movies on the occult or demons scare me the most.

Kathy Skinner (Kat) said...

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:)

Andrew Leon said...

I think you'r get funny looks from people if you said something like, "I will occult you."

Tina said...

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

Unknown said...

Occult as a verb...that gives me a few ideas. Mwhhaaa...

Sheena-kay Graham said...

I didn't know the verb version of occult. You learn something knew everyday.

cleemckenzie said...

I wonder how it would be used in a sentence as a verb. He's occulting the house cat in the other room?

Joanne R. Fritz said...

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.

Kristin said...

Interesting to read while I listen to "The Shadow".

Lyre said...

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

Lyre said...

Also, in reviewing the last several days words, I'm sensing a theme. :-)

Lyre @ Lyre's Musings

Kristen said...

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

Donna Smith said...

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

Anonymous said...

This makes me want to use occult as a verb right now, or at least in the near future.

Shell Flower said...

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.

Fairview said...

Yeah, "I will occult you with my invisibility cloak" has a nice ring to it.

Kellie @ Delightfully Ludicrous said...

Sounds like you're busy :D

Unknown said...

cool word for "o." fascinating, even! great choice!