mystery

mystery1
(pl. -ies)
  1. something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain
    神秘的事物;难以理解的事物;谜
    the mysteries of outer space.
    外层空间之谜。
    hoping that the inquest would solve the mystery.
    希望验尸能解开这个疑团。
    ■[mass noun]the condition or quality of being secret, strange, or difficult to explain
    神秘性;神秘;隐秘性;不可思议性
    much of her past is shrouded in mystery.
    她过去的许多经历都笼罩在神秘之中。
    ■a person or thing whose identity or nature is puzzling or unknown
    神秘的人(或事物)
    ‘He's a bit of a mystery,’ said Nina.
    “他有点儿像是个神秘人物”,尼娜说。
    [as modifier]a mystery guest.
    一个神秘客人。
  2. a novel, play, or film dealing with a puzzling crime, especially a murder
    (尤指涉及谋杀的)疑案作品
  3. (mysteries)the secret rites of Greek and Roman pagan religion, or of any ancient or tribal religion, to which only initiates are admitted
    (指古希腊、罗马异教或任何古代或部落宗教只准新入教者参加的)秘密仪式
    ■the practices, skills, or lore peculiar to a particular trade or activity and regarded as baffling to those without specialized knowledge
    秘技,神秘性
    the mysteries of analytical psychology.
    分析心理学的神秘。
    ■(archaic)the Christian Eucharist
    (古)圣餐礼
  4. (chiefly Christian Theology)a religious belief based on divine revelation, especially one regarded as beyond human understanding
    (主基督教神学)基于神的启示的宗教信仰,奥秘
    the mystery of Christ.
    耶稣的奥秘。
    ■an incident in the life of Jesus or of a saint as a focus of devotion in the Roman Catholic Church, especially each of those commemorated during recitation of successive decades of the rosary
    神迹(罗马天主教教徒虔修的主要内容,尤指数算念珠祈祷时所缅怀的耶稣或圣人事迹),圣迹
语源
  1. Middle English (in the sense 'mystic presence, hidden religious symbolism'): from Old French mistere or Latin mysterium, from Greek mustērion; related to mystic

mystery2
(pl. -ies)
  1. (archaic)a handicraft or trade, especially when referred to in indentures
    (古)(尤用于师徒契约中)技术,手艺
语源
  1. late Middle English: from medieval Latin misterium, contraction of ministerium 'ministry', by association with mysterium (see mystery)
英语宝典
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