Hypertext Webster Gateway: "occult"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Occult \Oc*cult"\, a. [L. occultus, p. p. of occulere to cover
up, hide; ob (see {Ob-}) + a root prob.akin to E. hell: cf.
F. occulte.]
Hidden from the eye or the understanding; inviable; secret;
concealed; unknown.
It is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its
advances as to escape observation. --I. Taylor.
{Occult line} (Geom.), a line drawn as a part of the
construction of a figure or problem, but not to appear in
the finished plan.
{Occult qualities}, those qualities whose effects only were
observed, but the nature and relations of whose productive
agencies were undetermined; -- so called by the schoolmen.
{Occult sciences}, those sciences of the Middle Ages which
related to the supposed action or influence of occult
qualities, or supernatural powers, as alchemy, magic,
necromancy, and astrology.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Occult \Oc*cult"\, v. t.
To eclipse; to hide from sight.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
occult
adj 1: hidden and difficult to see; "an occult fracture"; "occult
blood in the stool"
2: 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" [syn:
{mysterious}, {mystic}, {mystical}, {secret}, {orphic}]
n : supernatural forces and events and beings collectively; "She
doesn't believe in the supernatural" [syn: {supernatural}]
v 1: cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention; "The
Sun eclipses the moon today"; "Planets and stars often
are occulted by other celestial bodies" [syn: {eclipse}]
2: become concealed or hidden from view or have its light
extinguished; "The beam of light occults every so often"
3: hide from view; "The lids were occulting her eyes"
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